Exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation showcases antiques and contemporary art from Vienna
A glimpse into the lives of Austrian royals and examples of contemporary Austrian art and design are on show at an exhibition at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation until December 28.
The exhibition, Imperial Treasures of Austria & Austrian Contemporary Art & Design, is organised by the Austrian company Art and Business Cultural Management to celebrate the inauguration of an Austrian embassy in the UAE last year.
The collection has been put together with the help of co-organisers ? the Austrian Embassy and the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Vienna.
The highlight of the exhibition is the antiques and objets de art from the imperial households of Vienna, especially the Hapsburg dynasty that ruled for nearly 700 years. The treasure house of items includes a replica of a complete dinner table setting in the imperial household, decorated with silver cutlery, designer crystal glasses, a decorative centrepiece and elaborate flower decorations.
These displays are only a handful of what can be found at the two museums under the Imperial Museums in Vienna, says Dr Peter Parenzan, the curator of the two museums. The other items on display include a jewelled crown mounted in gold; a travel set of silver tableware belonging to Empress Elisabeth; 18th century pencil etchings of animals and oil paintings of the Emperor Franz Joseph and his Queen Elisabeth.
A list of all the animals (more than two million) hunted down by the emperors also hangs on the walls of the exhibition hall.
A major attraction is the large-size portrait of Empress Elisabeth rendered by the court painter Winterhalter in the 19th century. The oil painting of the Empress (not the original) attired in a white gown designed by British designer Worth with her hair filled with diamond stars is a perfect representation of the royal era in Viennas history.
In the main hall are examples of modern Austrian art and design. Here, works of concept art by Franziska Maderthaner (also present at the exhibition) open the art collection representing the face of Austria today. Also, Christoph Schmidbergers avant garde artworks occupy pride of place at the exhibition.
The creative mirror artworks of Werner Goll; samples of jewellery and silverware by designer Wolfgang Gessl; commercial granite work and other pieces provide a peep into Austrian culture.
The organisers have also organised an Austrian food festival at the InterContinental Hotel Abu Dhabi until December 18. A string quartet belonging to the reputed Wiener Mozart Orchestra will perform on the sidelines.
WHEN & WHERE
What: Imperial Treasures of Austria and Austrian Contemporary Art & Design.
Venue: First floor and main hall of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.
When: Until December 28. Open from 9am to 1 pm and 5-8pm. Entry is free.
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