In Vienna's MuseumsQuartier, it's hard not to notice the large, dark building without the usual windows. This is the Mumok Museum of Contemporary Art, which offers tourists an unconventional and sometimes extravagant exhibition space.
It's not just the exhibitions that are interesting, but also the building itself, which is lined with volcanic rock. Younger children won't be interested in the grounds, but teenagers with an interest in art and painting will love visiting the museum.
Museum area
The Museum of Modern Art is located on the site of the former imperial stables. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they were sold off and the first exhibition was held here in 1921.
The complex is now home to several art organisations, so don't limit your visit to just one location. The Mumok Museum of Modern Art in Vienna stands for MUseum MOderner Kunst.
The cube-shaped building with a curved roof was designed by Ortner & Ortner. The building is clad in basalt lava stone. The complex has virtually no windows, with only narrow slits visible in places. The total area of the museum is 4,800 square metres. There is a souvenir shop, a nice café and, of course, many interesting works.
Some of the exhibitions are temporary (they tend to be surprisingly quirky, extravagant, even scandalous), while others are permanent. Some spend hours in the Mumok, others a minimum of time. It's worth a look if you like contemporary art. There are also many stylistic trends on display.
Museum exhibitions
The Museum of Modern Art in Vienna has works of American Pop Art, Fluxus, French Nouveau Realism, Photorealism and Viennese Actionism from the 1950s and 1960s. These terms may not ring a bell to you, but to the connoisseur they mean something.
By the way, at the entrance you can get brochures with descriptions of the objects, which is not a bad idea as there are more than 9000 works on display. There are sculptures, photographic and video works and other unexpected solutions.
There are also interactive rooms equipped with sound and video systems. Children can enjoy the exhibitions both visually and acoustically, which is no less exciting for them than it is for adults.
It is worth noting that the exhibitions cover almost all artistic styles, from the Art Nouveau works of Picasso to the specific abstractionism of Günter Bruss.
The museum has three floors above ground and three underground. Glass lifts allow visitors to move between them. The walls of the halls are painted white, which is no coincidence: it contrasts with the exhibits and makes them stand out. Highlights include works by surrealists René Magritte and Juan Miró, as well as works by Andy Warhol, the founder of commercial Pop Art. Classical Art Nouveau pieces by the internationally renowned Pablo Picasso and Paul Klee are also on display at the MUMOK.
Visitors to the museum have commented that there are many unusual works on display that not everyone can appreciate. But if you are a fan of contemporary art, the gallery is sure to impress you. Or do something else, armed with knowledge beforehand.
Some tourists who have visited the museum have remarked that they couldn't understand some of the exhibitions, and they give good advice: before you buy a ticket to an exhibition, check out the works of the masters on the Internet.
Posters are always available and you can study the particular talents of the various masters beforehand. You may find that the works on display at the time of your visit are categorically at odds with your personal beliefs, or worse, are openly repugnant.
For example, some tourists found the works of West and Dengler exhibited at the MUMOK too depressing, and noted that they left the site in a hurry instead of looking at the details.
After you have seen the exhibits, we suggest you enjoy some sweets. There is a café in the grounds where you can order a wide range of cakes to suit all tastes. There is a large fountain in the courtyard at the entrance to the museum complex, with benches next to it. When the weather is nice, you can sunbathe and the children love the water.
There is free Wi-Fi in the museum — you can download an audio guide in English by connecting to it. All tourists are asked to take off their outer clothing and leave it in the cloakroom (there is a charge for this) or use a free locker (you can put a €1 coin in it and get it back when you collect your things).
The MUMOK has a souvenir shop with themed articles. Next to the dark building is the white Leopold Museum, which also invites you to experience the world of art. For museum lovers, this area is a real find.
