Vienna Today: Activating Futures Vienna Contemporary Art Exhibition

The Hai Museum of Art proudly launches the 'Vienna Today: Activating Futures – Vienna Contemporary Art Exhibition' on April 22. As another flagship exhibition under the museum’s "Today" series, this exhibition uses contemporary Austrian art as a lens to reflect on profound themes of human existence, technological ethics, and humanity’s relationship with nature. It also forms a powerful symphony of Eastern and Western art alongside the concurrently running "Shanghai Today" Yangtze River Delta Young & Mid-Career Artists Invitational Exhibition.

This exhibition brings together 60 works by 27 contemporary Austrian artists, spanning diverse mediums such as painting, photography, installation, video, and digital art. These works not only highlight the pluralism of Austrian contemporary art but also delve into critical explorations of the intricate dynamics between humanity, nature, and technology. Through their distinctive artistic languages, the participating artists employ critical thinking and innovative expression to envision multifaceted possibilities for future societies.

This exhibition engages in dialogue with "Shanghai Today", fostering cultural exchange and creative collisions between Austrian and Chinese artists, as well as between Austrian and Hai cultures. When Vienna’s contemporary art meets the Hai culture, the two artistic trajectories reveal both their unique differences and shared essence — a pursuit of freedom, a challenge to boundaries, and a deep concern for humanity’s destiny. Through this cross-cultural conversation, we aim to inspire audiences to appreciate diverse cultures and promote the integration of Eastern and Western art.

Moving forward, the Hai Museum of Art will continue to embrace openness, exploring diverse exhibition formats to showcase global artistic practices and cultivate a more dynamic international art ecosystem.