Die sechziger Jahre: Eine phantastische Moderne The 1960s: A Fantastic Modernism

After documenting the 1950s, this MUSA exhibition and catalogue continue the chronological tour of the collection of contemporary art held by the City of Vienna. From 1960 to 1969, ca. 3,800 works were acquired, and 460 objects were realized as part of its "art-in-architecture" scheme. Later acquisitions and donations to the collection have brought its holdings in art to ca. 4,300 works. In the public perception of this decade, the "Viennese School of Fantastic Realism" reigned...
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After documenting the 1950s, this MUSA exhibition and catalogue continue the chronological tour of the collection of contemporary art held by the City of Vienna. From 1960 to 1969, ca. 3,800 works were acquired, and 460 objects were realized as part of its "art-in-architecture" scheme. Later acquisitions and donations to the collection have brought its holdings in art to ca. 4,300 works. In the public perception of this decade, the "Viennese School of Fantastic Realism" reigned supreme. In addition, there were numerous variants of abstract art and realism; from 1968 on, the group "Wirklichkeiten" championed fresh ideas. The most widely recognized contribution to the international avant-garde is the work of the Viennese Actionists that was highly controversial at its time. Berthold Ecker describes the history of the collection and the acquisitions policies of that decade; Wolfgang Hilger draws on his personal memories to offer firsthand insights into the Viennese art world of the era. Bernhard Denscher's contribution discusses Austrian cultural policies of the decade, which wavered between stagnation and new beginnings. Monika Platzer sheds light on "art-in-architecture" as a reflection of a communicative process; Elisabeth Voggeneder examines Austrian positions in the context of international tendencies. Theresia Hauenfels's essay offers a general history of this decade of change, highlighting important cultural developments