MUSEUMSQUARTIER WIEN: A CELEBRATION OF CULTUREText by PamelaAnn CampbellPhotos courtesy of Vienna Tourist Board |
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Vienna, Austria: Vienna’s class act has risen to world-class levels among the top 10 cultural districts since the opening of MuseumsQuartier Wien last year. To date, more than 1.4 million visitors have explored the cultural district and many of them plan to return again.
At 45,000 square meters, the complex strikes an impressive pose to all those who appreciate the arts and architecture. From within the dynamic structural incorporation of centuries-old buildings (former imperial stables) and ultra-modern trends in architecture, Ortner & Ortner have marvelously outdone themselves as architects. As you can imagine, this vast area can be enjoyed for periods longer than a day or two. Herein are the highlights of my visit and hopefully I will return again to explore further.
Leopold Museum The Leopold Museum boasts the world’s largest collection of artwork by Egon Schiele, who emerged from obscurity locally and internationally, thanks to the dedicated collector and museum namesake, Rudolf Leopold, and his wife, Elisabeth. |
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Schiele was dismissed as an erotic artist whose paintings were labeled pornographic, but Leopold recognized the merits of this 20th century Austrian master and continued his pursuit of Schiele’s works.
His first acquisition in 1950 was Die tote Stadt (1910) and in 1953 he bought Schiele’s first painting of a human being, Die Eremiten. Later his interest extended to Gustav Klimt and Richard Gerstl. By 1994 when the Leopold Museum foundation was established, the collection numbered over 5,200 items with an estimated value of Euro574 million. The entire collection spotlights mainly paintings from the first half of the 20th century by the aforementioned artists as well as Alfred Kubin, Albin Egger-Lienz, Oskar Kokoschka, Anton Faistauer, Anton Kolig, Herbert Boeckl, Hans Bohler and Wilhelm Thony.
Leopold’s penchant for European folk art extended to Viennese crafts by Otto Wagner, Adolf Loos, Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and Dagobert Peche. Moreover, visitors are also treated to a number non-European objets d’art from Africa, China and Japan. For the Viennese art lover in Leopold, this museum is a salute to “a phenomenal memory and an unerring eye.” For patrons of the museum, it is literally a gift from Vienna to you. Go ahead and enjoy it!
Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation Vienna
Prominently showcased are the talents of Picasso, Magritte, Lichtenstein, Miro, Warhol, Klee, Kokoschka, Guttuso and Ono (yes it’s Yoko!) Five exhibition levels, three above ground and two underground cover various forms of expression including pre-1945 Central and Eastern European avant-garde, Gestural Painting, Viennese Actionism, Pop Art, Radical Realism, Colour Field, Conceptual Art and Arte Povera.
Kunsthalle The Kunsthalle exhibition hall, the clinker building that was once the winter riding school, hosts international contemporary art including photography, video, film installation art and new media. During my visit an exhibition on Africa, “Flash Afrique” featured photography by six Africans from Ghana, Mali, Senegal and the Ivory Coast. Coverage included studio collections from the first two locations, while the others covered scenes from local parties, the beach and everyday urban existence. I met Philip Kwame Apagya whose photos from his native Ghana were taken in his studio. Locals, unable to afford western furniture or electronics would pose alongside these items that they could only dream of owning - a poignant, yet realistic look at the simple lifestyles of people elsewhere.
Tanzquartier Wien For the very first time in history, Vienna has a place where contemporary dance and performance can be developed and performed. Most events are held in Hall G in the main courtyard of the Museumsquartier. Officially it’s The New Center for Contemporary Dance and Performance with studios operating all year. There are three dance studios with a theory and information center open to the public. Coming soon to MuseumsQuartier The outdoor cafe scene is warming up for summer with record garden seating for visitors to the MuseumsQuartier’s Leopold Museum, former Winter Riding Hall and Staatsratshof. A brand new cantina, MQ-Kantine will open next to Prachner’s Bookstore in June with an outdoor garden. A new concept featuring over “20 cultural initiatives” will be unveiled in September with the opening of quartier21 in the renovated Baroque Fischer von Erlach Wing. Two theme malls, transeuropa and Electric Avenue are the brainchild of Vitus Weh and Thomas Edinger that will operate as a pedestrian mall.
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Additional works in the museum feature 19th century artists Ferdinand Georg Waldmuller, Friedrich Gauermann, August von Pettenkofen, Anton Romako, Emil Jakob Schindler and Carl Schuch.
The anthracite-gray basalt lava building is home to the largest Central European museum. An assembly of modern and contemporary artwork graces the cast iron, basalt, steel and glass interior design.