Viennese Galleries Reopen After COVID-19 Lockdown
In mid-April 2020, cultural non-profits and commercial galleries in Vienna started to reopen, with museums like Schönbrunn Palace scheduled to welcome visitors again in mid-May. Gallery owners express a mix of slow visitor numbers and cautious hope. The Ernst Hilger Gallery opened its doors on April 14 with "Portrait and Landscape," showcasing artists such as Erró and Warhol, yet no sales were reported despite virtual tours. The Hans Knoll Gallery, featuring "Naked City II" by András J. Nagy, experienced a rise in foot traffic. Meanwhile, Projektraum Viktor Bucher canceled Pirmin Blum's exhibition, citing concerns over increasing nationalism after COVID-19. Hinterland reopened on April 16 with Cecilia Miranda's show, highlighting the importance of in-person connections. Ongoing exhibitions include Alberto Storari at HILGER NEXT until June 13. Giorgia Losio authored the article for Artribune.
Key facts
- Viennese galleries and non-profit spaces reopened mid-April 2020.
- Museums, starting with Schönbrunn Palace, will reopen from mid-May.
- Ernst Hilger Gallery reopened April 14 with 'Portrait and Landscape'.
- Hans Knoll Gallery reopened with 'Naked City II' by András J. Nagy.
- Projektraum Viktor Bucher reopened after canceling Pirmin Blum's show.
- Hinterland reopened April 16 with Cecilia Miranda's exhibition.
- Gallerists report slow visitor return but some positive feedback.
- Virtual tours during lockdown generated engagement but few sales.
Entities
Artists
- Erró
- Mel Ramos
- Pablo Picasso
- Andy Warhol
- Keith Haring
- András J. Nagy
- Pirmin Blum
- Cecilia Miranda
- Alberto Storari
Institutions
- Ernst Hilger Gallery
- Hilger Next BROTKunsthalle
- Hans Knoll Gallery
- Knoll Galerie Wien
- Projektraum Viktor Bucher
- Hinterland
- Artribune
- Schönbrunn Palace
Locations
- Vienna
- Austria
- Budapest
- Hungary
- Dorotheergasse 5
- Gumpendorfer Straße 18
- praterstrasse 13/1/2
- Krongasse 20
- Absberggasse 27