What’s on in Vienna during the GEN Summit
300 years of Maria Theresa
In 2017, Vienna is marking the 300th anniversary of the birth of Empress Maria Theresa with a group of major exhibitions. Although never crowned Empress, the Habsburg ruler was one of the most influential leaders in European history. From 15 March to 29 November 2017 the large-scale 300 Years of “Maria Theresa: Strategist -Mother - Reformer” exhibition will take up residence at the following four locations: at the Imperial Carriage Museum Vienna (themed Women Power and Joie de Vivre), at the Imperial Furniture Collection Vienna (with a focus on Family and Legacy) as well as in Lower Austria at Schloss Hof in (Alliances and Enmities) and Schloss Niederweiden (Modernisation and Reforms).
The Coin Collection at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna contains a first-class collection of Maria Theresa’s medallions, both in terms of quantity and quality. The “In Her Majesty’s Hands. Medals of Maria Theresa” (28 March 2017–18 February 2018, www.khm.at) exhibition provides a fascinating insight into all stages of the ruler’s life through the looking glass of these commemorative coins.
The “Highly Personal. Porcelain and Privacy in the Age of Maria Theresa” (20 March- 7 October 2017) temporary exhibition at the Porcelain Museum in the Augarten celebrates the life of Maria Theresa with an insight into the ladies’ apartments, private chambers and bedrooms of their time.
Erwin Wurm at the 21er Haus and the Leopold Museum
The Austria artist Erwin Wurm is the focus of two different exhibitions in Vienna. From June 2, 2017 the 21er Haus is showing his performative sculptures from 1990–2017. And at the Leopold Museum in the MuseumsQuartier Erwin Wurm is contributing precisely executed interventions in an exhibition dedicated to the German painter Carl Spitzweg (1808–1885).
Erwin Wurm — Performative Sculptures from 1990 to 2017, from 2 June 2017, 21er Haus, Arsenalstrasse 1, 1030 Vienna
Carl Spitzweg — Erwin Wurm. Hilarious! Hilarious?, 25 March- 19 June 2017, Leopold Museum MuseumsQuartier, Museumsplatz 1, 1070 Vienna
Vienna Biennale 2017. Robots. Work. Our Future
From 21 June-1 October 2017 the vision of digital humanism will provide the focal point of the 2017 Vienna Biennale. Contributions from the fields of art, design, and architecture will sketch out the joint potential of robots and human work as an opportunity to bring about humanely motivated positive change.
The “Hello, Robot. Design between Human and Machine” exhibition at the MAK — Austrian Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Art looks at the role of robotics in our daily lives and the decisive role played by design in this development. Artistic works are at the heart of the “Artificial Tears. Singularity & Humanness — A Speculation” group show at the MAK. Another project for the 2017 Vienna Biennale is the StadtFabrik, a collaboration between the Vienna Business Agency, Kreativzentrum departure, and MAK, which serves as a real time research laboratory for new branches of the creative economy.
Jun 23, 2017: Fête Impériale/Spanish Riding School
For one night only Vienna’s Spanish Riding School is transformed into a breathtaking ballroom, as the riding arena makes way for a dance floor, and the Stallburg and Summer Riding School set the stage for open-air entertainment.
Spanish Riding School, Michaelerplatz 1, 1010 Vienna, www.fete-imperiale.at
Jun 23–25, 2017: Danube Island Festival
On a site stretching for 4.5 kilometers, the Danube Island Festival has something for everyone: rock, pop, alternative, indie, punk, hip hop, oldies, electro, Schlager pop, folk music, cabaret and readings, as well as sporting attractions and a great kids’ program — and admission is completely free. 600 hours of summertime entertainment transform the island site into party central, while 300 concession stands keep hunger and thirst at bay. The Danube Island Festival is Europe’s largest free open air party, with more than three million visitors each year.
Danube Island Festival, 1210 + 1220 Vienna, www.donauinselfest.at
June 24, 2017: Organized guided tours for participants of the GEN Summit
Guided Tour: Viennese Modernism
In 1918, the lives of four key personalities of Austrian cultural history came to an end: the painters Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, the architect Otto Wagner and the universal artist Koloman Moser. The creativity of these and many other protagonists of Vienna Modernism in Vienna around 1900 will be celebrated in 2018. These personalities and more have left their footprints behind, contributing to the character and architecture of the city. Visit some of the key sites which represent the era of Viennese Modernism, including the Loos Haus, Postsparkasse and the Secession on a guided tour through Vienna.
Guided Tour: Vienna at a Glance
With its successful blend of imperial tradition and contemporary creativity, the Austrian capital has established itself as a major player in the global tourism market. Vienna owes its universal appeal to the way it excitingly combines imperial nostalgia with a highly creative cultural scene, responsibly cultivating a precious heritage and charming traditions whilst taking on board the latest trends. Architecture dating from imperial times has left an indelible mark on the city. Visit some of the city’s highlights including the famous Ringstrasse boulevard, St. Stephens Cathedral and the Naschmarkt on a guided tour through Vienna.
Registration details and further information to follow closer to the date.
GEN SUMMIT SOCIAL EVENTS
Museum of Applied Art (MAK)
The MAK is one of the most important museums of its kind worldwide, defining itself as a laboratory of societal knowledge. It is also a forum of intercultural and artistic exchange as well as of fruitful dialog with designers, artists, and architects. The Welcome Buffet, the first social event of the GEN Summit 2017 will be held at the museum on Wednesday 21 June, the summit participants will get an exclusive visit of the “Hello, Robot. Design between Human and Machine” exhibition during the evening.
Hofburg, Festsaal
The Hofburg is the formal imperial palace in the centre of Vienna. Built in the 13th century and expanded in the centuries since, the palace has been the seat of power of the Habsburg dynasty rulers. The Data Journalism Awards ceremony and Gala dinner will be held in this magnificent venue on Thursday 22 June.
Platzhirsch Bar & Club
Platzhirsch is one of the most sought-after places of the viennese nightlife. The Startups for News Party will be held at the venue on Friday 23 June, to celebrate the winner of the Startups for News 2017 competition: an international competition rewarding the best startups bringing new solutions to newsroom challenges.
Thank you to Wien Tourismus for their contribution to this article.
