The best Viennese Modernism exhibitions

As a universal artist, Kolo Moser mastered the disciplines of painting, graphics, applied arts and interior design, as well as stage design and fashion. But he especially became famous thanks to his efforts for a new, modern design language in Vienna around 1900. His strength was working with fabrics, glass and porcelain in cooperation with the Wiener Werkstätten. You surely know one or the other Backhausen pieces with the unmistakable Koloman Moser designs?

Personally I see this mini-exhibition as a complement to the current exhibition in MAK as it comprises two rooms dedicated to Koloman Moser’s work for the theatre and the opera and provides an interesting insight into his designs for posters, programmes and stage sets. In addition Gustav Klimt’s famous painting “Nuda Veritas” can be seen as part of the exhibition. My tip: your ticket also entitles you to reduced admission to the MAK and vice versa!

I would particularly like to recommend the exhibition in the Lower Belvedere entitled "Women artists in Vienna from 1900 to 1938". For the first time it presents emancipated women who fought their way into the art scene against all odds at the time but were then forgotten. Their works made a decisive contribution to the achievements of Viennese Modernism and the Secessionists.

Another exciting special exhibition will be on display at the Leopold Museum from April. The most comprehensive retrospective to date will show Kokoschka, whose biography is like a parallel to the history of the 20th century, as a radical innovator and multi-talent (painter, draughtsman, graphic artist, writer, playwright and theatre-maker) as well as a humanist. Let’s be surprised!