Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Exhibitions at Weltmuseum Wien

Step into the captivating realm of Weltmuseum Wien, housed within the imperial Hofburg Palace. Explore a mesmerizing tapestry of ethnographic exhibitions, showcasing the richness of human heritage from diverse corners of the world. Immerse yourself in this cultural odyssey and ignite your curiosity.

Plan Your Visit to Weltmuseum Wien

Why See the Weltmuseum Wien Exhibitions?

Vast Cultural Diversity: Weltmuseum Wien houses a vast array of ethnographic collections representing diverse cultures from around the globe.
Imperial Setting: Experience the cultural journey within the historic Hofburg Imperial Palace, adding a touch of regal grandeur to the exhibits.
Interactive Displays: Engaging and immersive exhibits allow visitors to connect with artefacts and explore global traditions up close.
Cross-Cultural Understanding: Weltmuseum Wien fosters understanding and appreciation of different cultures, promoting global unity and harmony.
Enriching Experience: Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind cultural odyssey, expanding your knowledge and igniting your curiosity about the world's diverse heritage.

Exhibitions at Weltmuseum Wien

Science Fiction(s): If there were a tomorrow

Temporary Exhibition: 30 March 2023 to 9 January 2024

The exhibition "Science Fiction(s)" at Weltmuseum Wien challenges Hollywood's dominant narratives about the future. Around twenty contemporary artists explore various approaches to using science fiction as a tool for critiquing the present, envisioning alternative futures, healing, and decolonization. With a focus on indigenous voices, the exhibition delves into cultural appropriation and resistance. It examines fictional space projects, discussions about non-human rights, and a post-apocalyptic perspective from a water plant.

Extinctions!?: An exhibition as part of the project TAKING CARE

Temporary Exhibition: 23 February 2023 to 2 April 2024

"Extinctions!?" challenges common extinction narratives, offering alternative perspectives in collaboration with partners from Latin America. Using objects from their diverse collections, the exhibition delves into the extinction of human cultures, highlighting both resilience and survival. As part of the TAKING CARE project, it explores the interconnections between ethnographic collections, climate crisis, and post-colonial issues, making ethnographic museums vital spaces for exploration.

Beyond the Future: Modern Japanese Calligraphy

Temporary Exhibition: 30 March 2023 to 9 January 2024

Co-financed by Mainichi Shinbun and the Mainichi Calligraphy Society, this exhibition showcases 61 artworks already part of Weltmuseum Wien's collection. It features various forms of calligraphy from East Asia, including Chinese kanji characters, kana syllabary, shibunsho poetic writing, tenkoku stone seals, and carved kokuji symbols. The exhibition highlights contemporary avant-garde calligraphy, where body, mind, style, and dynamics blend in fluent transitions from script to art.

Whatever You Throw at the Sea… by Zara Julius

Temporary Exhibition: 27 April 2023 to 2 April 2024

Zara Julius's exhibition, "Whatever You Throw at the Sea…" at Weltmuseum Wien, is a thought-provoking audio-visual project derived from extensive research on African and African diaspora communities. Using a limited edition 12" vinyl and images from the museum's collection, the installation delves into oceanic and rhythmic logic tied to loss, life, death, and possibility. Emphasizing polyvocality, the work challenges colonial impositions, and climate discourse, and envisions a future shaped by African epistemologies, offering insights into survival strategies amidst the enduring climate crisis.

Fruits of Labour: Maximilian Prüfer

Temporary Exhibition: 18 May 2023 to 9 July 2024

The exhibition "Fruits of Labour" at Weltmuseum Wien showcases the works of German artist Maximilian Prüfer, addressing human interventions in nature during the Anthropocene era and their global impact. Prüfer's art delves into ecological issues like insect extinction in Europe and China's 1950s political developments, revealing the dimension of human efforts needed to compensate for biodiversity loss. Through installations, photography, and film, Prüfer's pieces are juxtaposed with objects from the museum's collection and loans from Naturhistorisches Museum Wien.

Dark Pairing

Temporary Exhibition: 20 May 2021 to 30 September 2023

The exhibition "Dark Pairing" delves into the theme of hybridity and colonial cultures. T. Lauw's artwork intricately weaves plants in a fine network, symbolizing the complexity of cultural inscription and the impossibility of untangling colonial legacies. Exotic plants are critically examined as a means of exerting colonial power over indigenous cultures, and the display challenges the process of cultural appropriation. The presentation is part of the project "TAKING CARE," exploring connections between ethnographic collections and climate crisis issues, addressing colonial aftermath in a participatory and creative manner.

The Permanent Exhibition

The central and redesigned permanent exhibition at Weltmuseum Wien features a series of stories presented in fourteen galleries, combining traditional and contemporary interpretations, inviting visitors to explore and experience the museum's captivating offerings. You can find the following exhibitions at the museum:

Benin and Ethiopia: Art, Power, Resilience
Culture War in Vienna
An Austrian Mosaic of Brazil
In the Shadow of Colonialism
A New Perception – View on China
1873 – Japan comes to Europe
Collecting Craze. I Suffer from Museomania!
South Seas: Encounters with Paradise Lost
Fascinated by Indonesia
World in Motion
Into a New World
At the Threshold of the Orient
Stories from Mesoamerica
A Village in the Mountains

Know about Weltmuseum timings

How To Book Tickets to the Weltmuseum Wien Exhibitions?

For an enjoyable visit to Weltmuseum Wien, plan ahead and book tickets online. It guarantees a seamless and hassle-free experience to explore fascinating exhibits and collections.

Advance Booking: Make your visit stress-free by booking tickets ahead of time, avoiding any last-minute issues or disappointment of sold-out days.
Convenience: Enjoy the freedom of purchasing Weltmuseum Wien tickets from home or on the move, skipping long lines and uncertainties.
Discounts: Keep an eye out for special offers and discounts, ensuring you get the best value during your visit to the captivating exhibitions at the Weltmuseum Wien.

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