14 January 2025
Exploring Societal Challenges Through Art: Highlights of Kunsthalle Wien's 2025 Program
Fashion.at recently attended a press conference at Kunsthalle Wien, where Michelle Cotton, the new artistic director since June, shared her vision for the institution's future. Under her guidance, Kunsthalle Wien presents a thoughtfully curated program exploring topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technologies, and Migration. These artist-driven explorations seek to illuminate diverse perspectives without imposing fixed narratives.
The program places a strong emphasis on Austrian artists, integrating their work within an international context to foster global discourse on societal issues. The transformation of Kunsthalle Wien from a niche venue into a dynamic cultural hub is evident in its expanded educational initiatives and community engagement efforts.
Selected Key Initiatives and Exhibitions
- Radical Software: Women, Art & Computing 1960–1991: The first exhibition to explore digital art history from a feminist perspective, showcasing over 100 works by 50 women artists across 14 countries. Spanning painting, sculpture, film, and early computer-generated art, it highlights the transition of computers into domestic spaces during the second wave of feminism. Co-organized with Mudam Luxembourg, the exhibition includes a catalog and a symposium at TU Wien featuring artists and technology experts.
Fashion.at has already highlighted this exhibition, showcasing the pioneering contributions of women in digital art history (article).
- Kunsthalle Wien Preis 2024 & 2025: This prestigious platform celebrates artists who engage with complex social narratives. The artists of the 2024 Prize focus on migration (details). One of the previously showcased artists, Jojo Gronostay (Kunsthalle Wien Preis 2021), exemplifies the innovative spirit supported by Kunsthalle Wien, with his works continuing to make an impact in contemporary art circles (article about his upcoming art & fashion exhibition at MK&G Hamburg).
- Vienna Digital Cultures Festival: Debuting in May 2025 at Kunsthalle Wien Karlsplatz and various locations, this annual festival, curated by Nadim Samman, explores the cultural impact of new technologies. Titled 'Model Collapse', it investigates challenges in AI training and broader societal shifts linked to generative AI. The program includes art exhibitions, discussions, and performances featuring international artists and experts, creating a vibrant platform for dialogue on digital transformation.
The program also features collaborations with academic institutions, workshops, and family-oriented creative activities. One standout initiative is Kunsthalle’s partnership with TU Wien for the 'Radical Software' exhibition, where children experiment with algorithms and artificial intelligence through interactive games. These initiatives underscore the institution’s role as a platform for reflection and societal engagement through contemporary art.
Kunsthalle Wien: A Platform for Art and Dialogue
As Kunsthalle Wien evolves into a transformative space connecting art and societal discourse, it continues to challenge conventional narratives while fostering global conversations. Although its website is currently undergoing a relaunch, information about upcoming exhibitions is already available, inviting visitors to explore these forward-thinking showcases at both the MuseumsQuartier and Karlsplatz locations.
This renewed agenda reaffirms Kunsthalle Wien's dedication to engaging diverse audiences and making art a central voice in contemporary cultural dialogue.
Image: Artistic director of the Kunsthalle Wien Michelle Cotton at the press conference for the annual program 2025 on January 13, 2025 at the Kunsthalle Wien in Vienna's Museumsquartier. Photo: © Fashion.at.
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