The Secession at the end of World War II, Photo: Secession
The Vienna Secession was adapted and renovated several times in the course of its hundred year history. The entrance hall was already being altered in 1901. In 1908, part of the ornamentation and the slogan "Der Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit" ("For every time its art. For art its Freedom") were removed The building was damaged by bombs during World War II and set on fire by the retreating German army.
Staircase leading to the Grafische Kabinett, Photo: Margherita Spiluttini
During the reconstruction in 1963 the original décor was renewed and a second floor inserted in the entrance hall. Adolf Krischanitz was responsible for the most recent renovation in 1984/85.
The President's room at the Secession, Photo: Margherita Spiluttini
Alongside the restitution of the central entrance hall and main exhibitions spaces to their original proportions, the ancilliary rooms for exhibition organisation and administration were reorganised and developed further.
Main Hall, Exhibition Christopher Wool, 2001, Photo: Matthias Herrmann
A total of about 20 exhibitions take place in the Vienna Secession (in the Main Hall, Gallery, Graphic Cabinet and Ver Sacrum Room)each year.
Renée Green, Projekt Fassade, 2000, Photo: Etienne Rieger
The total exhibition area is approx. 1000 m2. All of the exhibitions are accompanied by a publication and often by parallel events, lectures, symposia, art discussions, etc.
Markus Geiger, Secession 1998, Photo: Pez Hejduk
For further information and photographic material please contact:
Tamara Schwarzmayr
Secession, Association of Visual Artists Vienna Secession
Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Vienna
Tel: +43-1-5875307-21, Fax: +43-1-5875307-34
presse@secession.at