English
When we talk about Vienna, you might think of the city´s fabulous opera houses, the world-class museums, the grand classicist architecture or even the Baroque castles. But did you know it is also home to great street art and graffiti?
Graffiti has always been given a bit of a bad name. It is something that many have long viewed as a blight in our metropolises that covers the walls and streets of our city with indecipherable markings. Many still think it just scribbles made by wobbly hands or dribbles of paint created by untalented persons who for some reason unknown to others feel the need to document their presence.
From the street into the museum
Although often misunderstood, graffiti is part of an important and independent creative movement. There are and always have been street artists out there who are interested in creating true and unique works of art. But finally this art form has been recognized for what it is. Under the label “street art”, many artists have gained appreciation all over the world and earned themselves a place in the world’s greatest art museums as “high art”. One of the most popular currently is the British artist and activist known by the pseudonym Banksy, and his satirical works are viewed in museums across the globe. Graffiti should and can be considered art instead of simply vandalism.
Beyond spray paint
Today’s street art also goes well beyond traditional graffiti. It can involve stencils, stickers or posters as well as embracing things like sculpture, video projection, installations and guerilla art. It is also a great way for artists to get their political or social messages to a broader audience.
And if you look for it, you will find it when walking the streets of Vienna. And like the city itself, much of it is well designed. Although you can find it just about anywhere, you’ll notice that artists still flock to spots where they are more likely to have a longer amount of uninterrupted time to work on their masterpiece: bridges, underpasses, train stations, window shutters, out of the way streets, etc.
Also worth a visit: The Museum Quarter
Even if you may not find street art in the city’s art museums, I would also recommend that you visit the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which has a fabulous collection of Old Master paintings, and the other museums that are located in the Museum Quarter if you are interested in art. In the Museum Quarter you will find the Museum of Modern Art (MUMOK) and the Leopold Museum, which has the largest collections of works by Egon Schiele. Castle Belvedere also has works by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Others you may want to consider visiting include the Albertina and the KunstHausWien, which was designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The latter is also close by the Hundertwasserhaus, a quirky apartment building you should not miss viewing, especially if you are interested in street art and unique movements in art and architecture.
So remember that when you are traveling about the city or meandering through its lovely streets, keep your eyes open. You might come across something on a building or sign that some anonymous street artist placed there to surprise or entertain you.
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