Vienna Media News 11/2011 New museum in an architectural gem

The Austrian Pavilion created by Karl Schwanzer for the 1958 Brussels World Exhibition became the city's first museum of modern art when it was re-erected in Vienna. From 1962 to 2001, the 20er Haus, or museum of 20th century art, focused on key movements in international contemporary art. The building was acquired by the Belvedere in 2002, and refurbishing work began in 2008. In November 2011 the new 21er Haus will reopen as an exhibition space presenting Austrian art from 1945 to the present day in its international context.

A series of light-filled and clearly structured exhibition halls, event spaces, and cinema make it the perfect space for contemporary, interdisciplinary work of all kinds. The Belvedere collection will provide the backbone of research and exhibition activities at the venue, which will also house the Wotruba foundation collection and the Austrian government's contemporary art holdings. Entitled Great Prospects!, the opening exhibition at the 21er Haus will focus on the former World Expo pavilion itself and explore the changes in its architecture over the years.

21er-Haus

Arsenalstrasse 1, 1030 Vienna
www.belvedere.at