Museums
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Secession |
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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) 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 |