Even by today's standards the Secession is a daring building
with its cupola of golden laurel leaves and its art deco facade.
It is one of the keyworks of Viennese Art Nouveaux architecture
and was planned and built by Joseph Maria Olbricht, a
student of Otto Wagner, to serve the needs of an artist association
Olbricht himself belonged to. The secessionists were interested
in uniting the separate art forms of sculpture, architecture,
painting and music aiming for a 'gesamtkunstwerk' - a comprehensive
work of art.
Laurel leaf garlands decorate the facade and front, masks of
the three gorgons preside over the entrance symbolizing the
three art forms of architecture, sculpture and painting. Above
the entrance you can read the motto of the secessionist: "Der
Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit." (To the Age
its Art. To Art its Freedom)
In 1902 the artist association planned an exhibition as a hommage
to the great composer Ludwig
van Beethoven, whose music suited the secessionists idea
of the 'gesamtkunstwerk'. Gustav
Klimt was invited to contribute and created a monumetal
wall cycle, the famous Beethoven Frieze, which you can
admire all year round at the Secession.
The museum specializes on contemporary art. Often artists change
the outside of the building by adding sculptures or changing
the lightening. The idea of the 'gesamtkunstwerk' and of adapting
the room/museum to add to the art work presented is still alive!
Secession: Friedrichstraße 12,
A-1010 Wien; U4, U2 Karlsplatz
