What the Māori artist George Nuku has created for the Weltmuseum Wien is truly spectacular. “Oceans. Collections. Reflections.” is the apt title of this gigantic takeover of the Weltmuseum´s entire ground floor. Seven rooms are filled from top to bottom with George Nuku´s sculptures, paintings, drawings, carvings, supplemented by items from the museum´s own collection.Continue reading “A Māori world in Vienna”
Tag Archives: #weltmuseumwien
Of corn and sacrifice
Before lockdown 2 in Vienna, which forced all our cultural institutions to close again this November, I managed to see the fascinating exhibition about the Aztecs at Weltmuseum Wien. A very worthwhile visit.
Return of the dead to Weltmuseum Wien
Yes, they are back this weekend, the dead and not so dead, celebrating Día de los Muertos with a whole series of events at Weltmuseum Wien. After a year´s absence, fortunately the Weltmuseum opened its doors again for the festivities and exhibitions surrounding this traditional Mexican holiday. Why, you might ask, would a Mexican holidayContinue reading “Return of the dead to Weltmuseum Wien”
Subjective stories of objects at Weltmuseum Wien
Things. Lots of things. Beautiful, curious, “exotic”, “ethnic”, historic things. That is what you will find at the Weltmuseum Wien, which houses an extensive collection of artifacts accumulated by collectors over the last few centuries by explorers of other worlds. These traveling collectors (such as Crown Prince Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este) were usually rich orContinue reading “Subjective stories of objects at Weltmuseum Wien”
Underneath it all – the long cultural history of the head scarf at Weltmuseum Wien
Headgear doesn’t define a woman´s position, but in Austria´s (and much of Western Europe´s) current political climate, the head scarf has become a symbol-laden topic of political debate. The garment has become a veiled metaphor for something else in political rhetoric. Not coincidentally, I think, the Weltmuseum Wien now has a special exhibition, not onContinue reading “Underneath it all – the long cultural history of the head scarf at Weltmuseum Wien”
Celebrating life – and death – at Semperdepot
It hard not to be sad when thinking about the passing of loved ones, but the Mexicans make a pretty good job of it. The Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos, is a celebration of life and death. On All Soul´s Day, when central Europeans somberly visit their dead at graveyards, putting candles andContinue reading “Celebrating life – and death – at Semperdepot”
Observing collectors of the exotic
Missionaries – mercenaries – ethnographers – tourists… One might say that collecting things is a basic human urge. Some people collect clocks, antique books, vintage clothing, rubber ducks, bottle tops, even umbrella sleeves (!) – you name it, somebody will surely be collecting it. (I personally admit to an out-of-control collection of (artificial) birdsContinue reading “Observing collectors of the exotic”
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