Walk on Water

The therapeutic qualities of water is something that we only really appreciate when we’re by it’s side… or when you’re swimming, or having a shower, or drinking it, or gardening, or keeping fish as pets…Ok, water is undoubtedly fantastic.

When you read celebrity interviews (the real ones, not the reality stars who want big rims and big breasts) they dream about waterfront properties, fresh and relaxing lifestyles. The dream isn’t floating to far away from us hard working people. Seas, rivers, lakes are prime land; they portray a lifestyle and are vital for the best views. We’ve got all look-out points covered. Read the rest of this entry »

Where do we go from here?

Secession, Vienna

“Where do we go from here?” A lot like the statement “Everything is going to be alright,” how that question is understood and reacted to will say a lot about the person reading it; the optimists will be separated out from the pessimists very quickly.

Taking its title from Dr. Martin Luther King’s last book Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community, this newest exhibition in the “Junge Szene” series at Vienna’s famous Secession poses this question and its possible interpretations though the presentation of works, most of which were made specially for the exhibition, by around 30 young artists. Fully aware of the broad interpretations of its own question, the exhibition narrows its focus into the increasing demands of flexibility and mobility made on young artists to establish their careers and the development of Eastern European society since the fall of Communism. Additional consideration is given to the problematic discussion of the idea of a collective “we,” which here should be understood as the idea of a “community of artists” as well as reflecting on recent political theory by writers such as Antonio Negri and Michael Hardt that calls for a “new community” in opposition to the dominant neo-liberal world order.

You won’t be asked to cast your vote for ‘chaos’ or ‘community’ by dropping a ball in a jar on the way out, but you might learn something new about your companions.

July 2 – Aug 29, 2010 at Secession, Friedrichstraße 12, A-1010 Vienna – just a 20 minute walk from our favourite hotel in Vienna – the Hollmann Beletage. Check them both out, why don’t you.

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Categories: Vienna, Art, Culture

Contributing writer: Melissa Frost

Vienna. Street Art Gets Philosophical

As street art rises higher and higher into the echelons of fine art, more museums and institutions are viewing it as a vital part of their contemporary collections. Street art exhibitions still have a huge draw, and with this year’s release of Banksy’s intriguing “Exit Through the Gift Shop” the validity of “real” street art was put under the microscope.

If you travel with knowing eyes, you’re bound to spot some of renowned street artists’ work in any major city, but in Vienna, you can cut straight to the chase.  In 2008 one of the intrinsic characters of Banksy’s film, a French street artist known as Invader, created a permanent, site specific installation on the bridge from the Spittelberg to the Museum Quartier in Vienna.  This was the first step in the development of Beton Blumen (concrete art) in Vienna’s street art scene.

A rotating program of international street artists, which in the past included the likes of Dome, Fefe Talavera, and Ripo, are invited to participate in the project. Multimedia American artist Brad Downey is the latest artist to be showing in the Beton Blumen passage.  Downey teamed up with Phillipp Teuchtler, a well-known Viennese street art collector, to explore the sense of ownership in anonymous street works.  The majority of Teuchtler’s collection is unsigned, taken from the street and without commercial value.  However, the question must be raised – does Teuchtler really hold ownership over these pieces? By collecting them as items of worth he negates their purpose, turning works of public display into a collection for personal pleasure.

Downey accessed Teuchtler’s collection, and together they chose 12 anonymous works.  The artist then signed the works, giving a formerly valueless item monetary worth as well as re -appropriating the original intention of the artwork.  The concept will strike some as surprisingly heady for what many view as defacement, plain and simple, but then again, the debate is part of the beauty of art forms on the rise.

Vienna’s Museum Quarter, and the Beton Blumen Street Art Passage are less than 10 minutes via public transit from White Line member hotel Hollmann Beletage.  Hollmann Beletage has a hint of the avant-garde and the sense of humour to go with it.

You can form your own opinion on Downey’s work through the end of September; we’d love to hear what you think (leave us a comment).  Pick up a copy of the Downey designed Beton Blumen magazine from any number of museum shops, and, if you’re up for purchasing some of the work, check out their auction, held just once a year. www.betonblumen.org

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Categories: Vienna, Art, Culture, Events

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

Vienna. Curated by Vienna 2010. Art and Film

Curated by Vienna’s contemporary and collaborative line-up is enough to set any art lovers a flutter.  20 galleries will feature 20 artist-curated exhibitions between May 6th and June 5th.  The focus of the 2010 Curated by Vienna is art and film and will include a range of lectures on the subject.  The goal is to explore the latest trends in the visual arts, and why contemporary artists are fascinated by film and moving images. Read the rest of this entry »

MODEPALAST Vienna. Going Green

From Austria to Vienna, this is the weekend to redefine your style.  MODEPALAST, Vienna’s cutting edge fashion, jewellery and accessories fair, will take place from April 23 to 25 at MAK – the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts.  The collection will present over 200 Austrian designers along side a selection of international newcomers, selected by a jury of media representatives and fashion experts. Ladies and Men’s collections and accessories will be for sale under one roof. Read the rest of this entry »