{"id":25652,"date":"2020-06-14T12:11:34","date_gmt":"2020-06-14T11:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=25652"},"modified":"2026-01-20T08:58:49","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T07:58:49","slug":"contemporary-art","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/contemporary-art\/","title":{"rendered":"Contemporary art in Vienna"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/contemporaryartsmall.jpg\" alt=\"Some contemporary art\" class=\"wp-image-25653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/contemporaryartsmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/contemporaryartsmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As well as numerous commercial galleries you can find with a quick Google search, the city offers major museum &amp; exhibition venues, street art, and annual events to showcase the works of local and international contemporary artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Top art museum options include the MuseumsQuartier area, Albertina, K\u00fcnstlerhaus, Heidi Horten Collection, MAK, Secession, &amp; Belvedere 21<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a 2-hr themed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-city-tours-l205280\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_CityTours\" rel=\"sponsored\">guided tour<\/a>* for Vienna<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/\">Museums in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/activities\/events-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1658\">Events in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Jump to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#museums-venues\">Museums &amp; venues<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#street\">Street &amp; public art<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contemporary-art-events\">Contemporary art events<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major current &amp; future <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/exhibitions\/#modernart\" data-type=\"post\">contemporary art exhibitions<\/a> (takes you to my curated exhibition page)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For many folk, placing the word &#8220;contemporary&#8221; next to the word &#8220;Vienna&#8221; feels a little inappropriate. This is, after all, the city of Mozart, Klimt, and the imperial Habsburg court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Vienna is also a thriving modern metropolis: a central European economic powerhouse with (whisper it) the occasional skyscraper, where few people were actually alive when Freud bought his first couch from the 19th-century equivalent of IKEA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Which brings us to contemporary art in Vienna. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"museums-venues\">Museums and venues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let us begin with&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-museumsquartier\">The MQ and museums<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/mqw1.jpg\" alt=\"Outside the MuseumsQuartier\" class=\"wp-image-46361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/mqw1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/mqw1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The front entrance)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/mq\/\">MuseumsQuartier<\/a> (MQ) kind of sits at the cultural centre of contemporary art in Vienna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The area itself (formerly the imperial stables) offers its own public art spaces. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The artistic makeovers of the archways connecting courtyards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ever-changing installation in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/mq-art-box\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34657\">MQ Art Box<\/a> transparent container<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>International exhibitions in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/mq-freiraum-salon\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"57259\">MQ Freiraum<\/a> exhibition space<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, various museums make their home in the MQ, most notably&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/mumok\/\">MUMOK<\/a>: the Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien occupies a remarkable basalt building. Exhibitions typically feature art from the 21st and late 20th centuries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/kunsthalle\/\">Kunsthalle Wien<\/a>: a particular focus on contemporary shows and artists. The Kunsthalle Wien also has a second exhibition location over on Karlsplatz square<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/leopold-museum\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4014\">Leopold Museum<\/a>: the period around 1900 dominates, but the museum sometimes has special exhibitions that cover today&#8217;s artists and art movements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"albertina-modern\">Albertina Modern &amp; K\u00fcnstlerhaus<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/kunstlerhaus.jpg\" alt=\"The Kunstlerhaus and Albertina Modern\" class=\"wp-image-41898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/kunstlerhaus.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/kunstlerhaus-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The K\u00fcnstlerhaus building)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine the prestigious Albertina art museum had a child. A rather adventurous child comfortable in all sorts of media and eager to break away from the trappings of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Voila&#8230;the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/albertina-modern\/\">Albertina Modern<\/a> offers a showcase for the Albertina&#8217;s large collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as space for wider exhibitions drawing on loans. They typically feature renowned domestic and international artists (such as the likes of Ai Weiwei or Nobuyoshi Araki).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The museum occupies part of the K\u00fcnstlerhaus building, which is also home to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/kuenstlerhaus\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"73350\">same-named artist organisation<\/a> that puts on its own contemporary art exhibitions, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incidentally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/albertina\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2995\">main Albertina location<\/a> also features contemporary exhibitions among the D\u00fcrers and French impressionists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bank-austria-kunstforum-wien\">Kunstforum Wien<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/kunstforumnight.jpg\" alt=\"The Kunstforum at night\" class=\"wp-image-43048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/kunstforumnight.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/kunstforumnight-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Kunstforum Wien&#8217;s previous location on the venerable Freyung square)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another major art institution, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/kunstforum-wien\/\">Kunstforum<\/a> normally has two major exhibitions each year. Most of the featured artists are from the contemporary end of the art spectrum. Think names like Rebecca Horn, David Hockney, Daniel Spoerri, Gerhard Richter, Roberto Matta, and Cindy Sherman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the institution&#8217;s exhibition location closed at the end of August 2025 with the Kunstforum&#8217;s activities planning to move elsewhere: I await details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-mak\">The MAK<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/MAKbuilding.jpg\" alt=\"The MAK museum\" class=\"wp-image-42898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/MAKbuilding.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/MAKbuilding-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The main entrance)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/mak\/\">Austrian Museum of Applied Arts \/ Contemporary Art<\/a> is a mixed bag of a museum that features everything from industrial design to Ottoman carpets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I find it a rather magical place, particularly the high-quality special exhibitions that might feature anything from contemporary Chinese art to an examination of &#8220;beauty&#8221; or a retrospective of a lesser-known Austrian architect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of late, the MAK has become a strong platform for contemporary artists, both through solo and themed group exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-kunsthaus-wien\">The Kunsthaus Wien<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/frontKunstHausWien.jpg\" alt=\"Front of the Kunst Haus Wien\" class=\"wp-image-42305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/frontKunstHausWien.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/frontKunstHausWien-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Typical Hundertwasser flair)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Home to the Hundertwasser permanent exhibition and a rather delightful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/cafe-kunst-haus-wien\/\">caf\u00e9<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/hundertwasser\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"17067\">Kunst Haus Wien<\/a> also houses regular contemporary &#8220;green-themed&#8221; art exhibitions and installations that I&#8217;ve always enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The building itself deserves a look in its own right, since it offers the same curved and colourful delights as its more-famous cousin, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/hundertwasserhaus\/\">Hundertwasserhaus<\/a>. Except you can actually go into the Kunst Haus Wien.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wien-museum-musa\">Wien Museum musa<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/wienmuseumMUSA.jpg\" alt=\"Wien Museum MUSA\" class=\"wp-image-44160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/wienmuseumMUSA.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/wienmuseumMUSA-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The MUSA lies opposite the Rathaus city hall)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/wien-museum\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"26812\">Wien Museum<\/a> collection of locations includes Otto Wagner station buildings, Roman excavations, and the former homes of Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, and Strauss. But the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/musa\/\">musa<\/a> is their equivalent of a modern roof extension on a historical townhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as a major exhibition, typically around some contemporary art figure, movement or recent era, the musa also provides space for group exhibitions featuring upcoming artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"belvedere-21\">Belvedere and Belvedere 21<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/belvedere21building.jpg\" alt=\"Belvedere 21 building\" class=\"wp-image-44450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/belvedere21building.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/belvedere21building-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The exclusively contemporary site among the Belvedere venues)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/belvedere-sites\/belvedere-21\/\">Belvedere 21<\/a> as the contemporary arm of the Belvedere group, with regular exhibitions of works that appeared long after Klimt put in his last order for gold paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do check the upper and lower palaces at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/belvedere\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"3308\">main complex<\/a>, too, since their rather wonderful permanent and temporary exhibitions vary from medieval masterpieces to today&#8217;s creative output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, pop into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/belvedere-sites\/upper-belvedere-palace\/\">Upper Belvedere<\/a> palace (home to Vienna&#8217;s greatest Klimt creations) and turn right after the main entrance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first room you encounter houses the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/belvedere-sites\/carlone-contemporary\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"57612\">Carlone Contemporary<\/a> series of exhibitions, where a single contemporary art installation interplays with the striking historical frescoes and architecture of the Carlone Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heidi Horten Collection<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/heidihortencollection.jpg\" alt=\"The Heidi Horten Collection building\" class=\"wp-image-47577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/heidihortencollection.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/heidihortencollection-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The building in the background is the Albertina art museum)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A relatively <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/heidi-horten-collection\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"47637\">new location<\/a> showcasing highlights from the prestigious modern and contemporary art collection put together by the billionaire Heidi Go\u00ebss-Horten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And by prestigious, I mean full of artists with instant name recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-secession\">The Secession<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/frontsecession.jpg\" alt=\"The front of the Secession building\" class=\"wp-image-45413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/frontsecession.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/frontsecession-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Note the famous golden dome)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Klimt and colleagues established the Secession group back in the late 1800s, and their modern day successors still run the same-named building as a venue for contemporary art exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incidentally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/secession\/\">Secession building<\/a> itself represents a jewel in Vienna&#8217;s architectural <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/jugendstil\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"31716\">Jugendstil landscape<\/a>, and Klimt&#8217;s famous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/beethoven-frieze\/\">Beethovenfries<\/a> has its own gallery down in the basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Academy of Fine Arts Vienna<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/academyoffinearts.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/academyoffinearts.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/academyoffinearts-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Reopened in 2021 after refurbishment)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/gemaldegalerie-paintings-gallery\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"42411\">Academy of Fine Arts Vienna<\/a> has a renowned collection of older paintings (Bosch, Titian, etc.) that it typically presents to the public in a series of exhibitions. However, the latter almost always include contemporary works to create a dialogue or thematic juxtaposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weltmuseum Wien<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"373\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/weltmuseumfront.jpg\" alt=\"Weltmuseum entrance\" class=\"wp-image-43307\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/weltmuseumfront.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/weltmuseumfront-300x224.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/neue-burg\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1493\">Neue Burg wing<\/a> of the Hofburg palace complex)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although an ethnographic museum, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/khm\/weltmuseum\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"9264\">the Weltmuseum<\/a> has long featured contemporary art installations and exhibitions. These are now formalised in the <em>WMW Contemporary<\/em> series of exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That series focuses on a dialogue between today&#8217;s sociocultural perspectives and the museum&#8217;s historical collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-theseus-temple\">The Theseus temple<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/theseustemplenight.jpg\" alt=\"The Theseus Temple at night\" class=\"wp-image-41902\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/theseustemplenight.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/theseustemplenight-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The installation inside is usually free-to-view)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vienna does, indeed, like its dialogues and juxtapositions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1829 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/theseus-temple\/\">Theseus Temple<\/a> makes a rather delightful landmark in the middle of the Volksgarten park. Once a year, it also provides a home for a contemporary art installation under the aegis of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"street\">Street art &amp; public venues<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/callelibre3.jpg\" alt=\"Wall mural in Vienna\" class=\"wp-image-67930\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/callelibre3.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/callelibre3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Artwork by Ledania as part of the annual Calle Libre event)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To find public spaces offering examples of today&#8217;s creativity, try these sources&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"public-art-vienna\">Public Art Vienna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Public Art Vienna promotes and organises numerous permanent and temporary art projects across public spaces in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wander around town and you&#8217;re bound to spot a few, perhaps above a tram stop, down the side of a building, or along the walls of a station escalator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their <a href=\"http:\/\/koer.or.at\/en\/\">website<\/a> lets you search for projects by district, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"donaukanal\">Donaukanal<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/donaukanalstreetart.jpg\" alt=\"Donaukanal street art\" class=\"wp-image-45416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/donaukanalstreetart.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/donaukanalstreetart-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(A common sight along this Danube channel)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more casual contemporary creativity, walk down to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/donaukanal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34106\">Donaukanal<\/a>, a small arm of the Danube that passes along the edge of Vienna&#8217;s old town and centre. Its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/donaukanal-street-art-bars\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34231\">street art<\/a> lines long stretches of the riverbanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vienna Murals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.viennamurals.at\/\">project<\/a> documents street art and murals in the city. Check their online interactive map to find locations or consider purchasing their printed guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contemporary-art-events\">Contemporary art events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>And just a few annual events to whet the appetite for all things contemporary\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/fanzineist.jpg\" alt=\"Fanzineist event posters\" class=\"wp-image-60986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/fanzineist.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/fanzineist-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(I always enjoy the Fanzineist art book &amp; zine fair)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/calle-libre\/\">Calle Libre<\/a>: a festival that has produced some rather wonderful urban art across the city. Many of the large murals and artworks you see on buildings stem from Calle Libre participants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spark-artfair.com\/en\/\">Spark Art Fair<\/a>: an event with a strong contemporary focus featuring numerous solo presentations and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/art-antique\/\">ART&amp;ANTIQUE<\/a> fair: held in the Hofburg winter palace and covering a wide range of eras and genres that also includes contemporary art<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/art-vienna\/\">Art Vienna<\/a>: another large event that assembles galleries together, though with a stronger focus on contemporary pieces than its colleague above<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/art-in-the-park\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"54102\">Art at the Park<\/a>: another prestigious collection of galleries assembled in the surrounds of the Park Hyatt Vienna<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/parallelvienna.com\/\">Parallel Vienna<\/a>: annual festival that brings together the contemporary art world (initiatives, artists, galleries, and more)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/art-austria\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"46150\">Art Austria<\/a>: high-quality national and international art from domestic galleries, featuring names you&#8217;d recognise instantly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/viennacontemporary\/\">Viennacontemporary<\/a> (in hiatus at the time of writing): an international art fair that usually draws in galleries from around the world<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/fanzineist\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"60989\">Fanzineist<\/a>: art, art books and zines from independent creators<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/foto-wien-festival\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"13836\">Foto Wien<\/a>: major photography festival with events and exhibitions all over Vienna<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/comic-con\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6726\">Vienna Comic Con<\/a>: the artists alley section has hundreds (yes, hundreds) of booths displaying and selling artwork, though mostly with a theme related to the fandoms of such a con. Similar events include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/comix\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"58214\">Vienna COMIX<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/aninite\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"73343\">AniNite<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Be sure to also check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/activities\/events-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1658\">monthly event articles<\/a> for more options.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As well as numerous commercial galleries you can find with a quick Google search, the city offers major museum &amp; exhibition venues, street art, and annual events to showcase the works of local and international contemporary artists. Jump to: For many folk, placing the word &#8220;contemporary&#8221; next to the word &#8220;Vienna&#8221; feels a little inappropriate. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-25652","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sights","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25652"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88096,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25652\/revisions\/88096"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}