Viennacontemporary 2024: An international art fair opens doors in Austrian capital

The annual international art exhibition, Viennacontemporary, is back for 2024, bringing together top artists, gallery owners, curators, and collectors from around the globe. Over 3 days, on September 12-15, the iconic Kursalon Vienna will host this premier event, spotlighting the profound impact of art on today’s global processes. This year’s event will also feature a special project called “The Color of Energy,” exploring themes of energy, transformation, and the relationship between art and the environment.

“Bukvy” has joined Viennacontemporary as the event iformational partner.

Key Highlights of Viennacontemporary 2024

Viennacontemporary uholds its stellar reputation as an art platform showcasing diverse artistic practices broadening our understanding of contemporary art. The exhibition will serve as a platform for cultural exchange and will focus on art projects addressing pressing social, political, and cultural issues.

Highlights for this year will include:

• Global Participation: Over 60 galleries from Europe, America, and Asia will present works by both emerging and established artists. The event guests will have the chance to immerse themselves in unique artistic perspectives from various cultural contexts.
• ZONE1 Section: A traditional platform for young Austrian artists, this section will highlight new talents and experimental approaches in contemporary art.
• Discussion Program: Panel discussions and lectures will play a significant role at Viennacontemporary 2024, tackling topics related to contemporary art, collecting, and the role of artists in today’s world. The program invites discussions on the impact of technology, global changes, and innovative creative approaches.

Leading Exhibition “The Color of Energy” – A Visual Journey Through Energy and Its Impact on Our World

Dates: September 12 – November 24, 2024
Venues: Viennacontemporary (Messe Wien, Hall D, Vienna, Austria) and Salzburger Kunstverein (Salzburg, Austria)

Viennacontemporary 2024, in collaboration with Salzburger Kunstverein, presents a unique exhibition titled “The Color of Energy” as part of the special VTC STATEMENT: ENERGY program, supported by the ERSTE Foundation. The exhibition will have two interconnected parts, running from September 12 to November 24, 2024.

Part One: Viennacontemporary (September 12–15, 2024)
The first section of “The Color of Energy” will be presented at the Viennacontemporary fair at Messe Wien as part of the VTC STATEMENT: ENERGY program. This program explores the connections between socio-political phenomena and contemporary art. It creates a platform for dialogue among artists, curators, thinkers, and experts, inviting visitors to discuss energy crises, climate change, and the future of sustainable energy.

In this first section, the exhibition focuses on the aesthetic and affective aspects of energy, examining its usage, consumption, and representation in a global context. It reveals the consequences of the energy crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts, which have led to rising oil and gas prices and subsequent inflation.

Part Two: Salzburger Kunstverein (September 20 – November 24, 2024)
The second part of the exhibition continues the exploration of energy and its impact on society at the Salzburger Kunstverein. This section offers a deeper understanding of the interaction between energy, nature, and humanity. The curatorial concept highlights various chromatic aspects of energy, demonstrating how it not only affects our world but also colors it both metaphorically and literally.

Chromatic Context: A Narrative Through Colors
“The Color of Energy” uses colors to visualize different aspects of global energy phenomena impacting nature and human life. The exhibition presents a palette reflecting conflicts and innovations in the energy sector:

• Amber Sky: Filled with the smog of large cities.
• Toxic Yellow: Acid rain falling on urban landscapes.
• Rusty Orange: Oil spills in oceans symbolizing ecological disasters.
• Burning Red: Forest fires ravaging forests due to climate change.
• Blue Tint: Solar panels reflecting hope for sustainable energy sources.
• White: Melting polar ice caps symbolizing global warming.
• Silver Gleam: Technological innovations aiding humanity’s move away from traditional energy sources.
• Neon Green: Uranium and the blue glow of nuclear reactors sparking debates on the future of nuclear energy.
• Gray Concrete: Shelters reminding us of the aftermath of military conflicts.
• Dreadful Green: Money’s controversial role in energy politics.
• Pale White: The weary face symbolizing the impact of environmental and energy crises on humanity.

This color spectrum urges viewers to contemplate the impact of energy on the modern world and prompts reflection on the future.

Expanded Program: Nexus Thinking — Energy, Future, Sustainability
An important addition to the exhibition is a series of panel discussions titled Nexus Thinking — Energy, Future, Sustainability. On September 13 at 14:30 and 15:30, international experts in climate change, energy, art, and culture will sit down to discuss how contemporary art can encourage new approaches to sustainable development and the future of energy.

These discussions will bridge thoughts from various fields, highlighting the intersections between science, art, and society, and will serve as a platform for innovative ideas on addressing global challenges.

The event will be curated by Mirela Baciak, renowned for her innovative approach to art projects focusing on energy and social change, will lead the exhibition.  She will get support from Erka Shalari who actively collaborates with artists and explores contemporary art practices in the context of climate challenges.

“The Color of Energy” at Viennacontemporary 2024 offers a unique chance for audiences to not only witness powerful visual imagery but also to ponder the role of energy in our lives and its impact on humanity’s future. By blending art and scientific ideas, this project will unveil new paths for understanding sustainability, transformation, and innovation.

The exhibition features artists experimenting with various materials, colors, and forms to reveal the connections between art, nature, and social phenomena. Themes of energy transformation, climate change, and emotional and mental energy are central to the works of the artists presented. Participants in “The Color of Energy” actively reflect on how art can influence our perception of the world, shifting focus from traditional forms to more abstract concepts.

Notable Guests and Events
Viennacontemporary 2024 is set to see vibrant exchanges between art and society. Among the guests and speakers will be:

• Francesca Gavin, an art curator and author of numerous articles on contemporary art and culture. Her curatorial vision plays a crucial role in shaping the “The Color of Energy” exhibition.
• Mirela Baciak, curator and organizer of Viennacontemporary, who has crafted a program focusing on changes in contemporary art and culture during crises and transformational periods.

The exhibition will also host numerous art performances, workshops, and artist talks, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with artists and experience the energy of their work firsthand.

Viennacontemporary 2024 will not only be a venue for discussing contemporary art but also a powerful tool for influencing public discourse on the future of art and its role in a rapidly changing world. With participation from international artists and a broad range of events, the exhibition continues to solidify its reputation as one of Europe’s most important art events.

Sponsors and Partners

Main Partners: ERSTE Foundation, BDO
Partners: Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Public Service and Sport (BMKOES), Vienna Insurance Group, Romanian Cultural Institute, Vienna Business Agency
Support Partners: A.R.E.A.L., Art Fairs Service, BWM Architekten, Croma, efko, FliP – Erste Financial Life Park, Kattus, Landgarten, Leschanz, Lexus, Personalwolke, Picture One, Street Art Logistics, Uber, Verlag für moderne Kunst, Vitra, Vöslauer, Vienna Tourist Board
VCT STATEMENT conducted with the kind support of ERSTE Foundation
ZONE1 conducted with the support of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Public Service and Sport (BMKOES)
Art Awards 2024: Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, JP Immobilien, Bildrecht Lukowa Group, Queer Art Spaces Vienna, Vienna Collectors Club
Online Partner: Artsy
Ticket Sales Partners: Reservix, Connfair
Event Partners: ATTYS Rechtsanwälte, Art World Vienna, Curated by, das weisse haus, FJK3, Hotel Altstadt, Kahan Art Space, Klima Biennale, Maria Lassnig Stiftung, Musiktheatertage Wien, Museumsquartier Wien, NKW, Noise_Media Art, Austrian National Bank, Parallel Vienna, Phileas, Queer Art Spaces Vienna, Strabag Kunstforum, UA26, Various Others, Vienna Art Week, Vienna State Opera, Why Knot
Partner Institutions: Albertina, Albertina Modern, Arnulf Rainer Museum, Belvedere 21, House Museum Vienna, FOTO ARSENAL WIEN, Heidi Horten Collection, Jewish Museum Vienna, Künstlerhaus, Kunst Haus Wien, Kunsthalle Wien, Museum of Art History, Kunstmeile Krems, Leopold Museum, MAK, mumok, museum gugging, Palais Liechtenstein, Vienna Museum of Actionism, Academy of Fine Arts Gallery, Salzburger Kunstverein, Sigmund Freud Museum
Media Partners: Aehre, Aesthetica, Art Gorgeous, Arts of the Working Class, Artsper, Bukvy, C/O VIENNA MAGAZINE, Collectors Agenda, Contemporary Lynx, Die Presse, EIKON, fair Magazine.