Vienna's renowned Kunstforum museum is closing its doors permanently on Thursday, marking the end of 35 years of cultural contributions to Austria's capital. The final exhibition is being offered with free admission to the public, allowing art lovers one last opportunity to visit the prestigious institution located in Vienna's city center on Freyung.
The museum's closure has been attributed to the Signa insolvency scandal, making the Kunstforum one of the most prominent cultural casualties of the financial crisis. "We have to close because, on one hand, the building was sold and this has negatively changed the conditions for us. On the other hand, Bank Austria has announced that it no longer wants to support its own museum," explained Bettina M. Busse, the museum's chief curator and collection director.
Throughout its distinguished history, the Kunstforum has showcased works by some of the world's most celebrated artists, including Egon Schiele, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh. The museum has also presented exhibitions featuring renowned artists such as Kiki Kogelnik and David Hockney, establishing itself as a premier destination for art enthusiasts and tourists alike.
The museum's final exhibition, titled "Mensch Berlin" (Human Berlin), serves as the farewell presentation for the institution. Originally, an exhibition dedicated to performance artist Marina Abramović was scheduled for October, but this show has now been relocated to the Albertina Modern museum due to the Kunstforum's closure.
Many longtime visitors and regular patrons are taking advantage of the final hours to bid farewell to the beloved cultural institution. The free admission policy for the last day has drawn crowds of art enthusiasts who want to pay their respects to a museum that has been a cornerstone of Vienna's cultural landscape for over three decades.
While the future of the Kunstforum remains uncertain, there are glimmers of hope for its continuation. "There is hope for a continuation, and there are already discussions about a current location, but we can provide more specific and detailed information about this in the fall," Busse stated, suggesting that negotiations are ongoing for a potential new venue.
The closure represents a significant loss for Vienna's cultural scene, as the Kunstforum has been instrumental in bringing world-class art exhibitions to the Austrian capital. The museum's prime location in the historic city center made it easily accessible to both locals and international visitors, contributing to Vienna's reputation as a major European cultural destination.
