Art of Modernism at the Albertina Gallery

What to Expect

The Nuances of -isms
You will navigate through the halls of one of Austria's main museums to view famous paintings from the late 19th to early 20th centuries and delve into the directions, concepts, terms, and techniques of modernist art. I will explain to you why self-commentary practice was crucial for the creators of modernism and the avant-garde, and we will conduct a small experiment: comparing your perception of paintings based on initial impression, after reading the artist's commentary, and finally, the critic's commentary. You will personally feel how a work's context can be more important than its artistic value.

Before and After Modernism
The art of Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Bacon, Kandinsky, or Malevich, whose paintings you will see at the Albertina, did not emerge out of nothing. It absorbed the artistic heritage of the past, hence the canvases of these masters call for contemplation with pleasure. However, with their arrival, the very paradigm of art changes, and new techniques provoke the audience to remarks like, 'My child could do that too' - this is the criticism towards contemporary art. You will learn to compare the art of different eras and understand the difference in artistic worldviews, comprehend what an 'intellectual challenge' means in the context of art, and perhaps even slightly appreciate contemporary art more.

Who Is the Tour For

This art tour is designed for adults. But if you can have conversations with your children without age discounts and they are as interested in art as you are, feel free to bring them along.