Vienna celebrates 200 years of Johann Strauss. On this occasion, the permanent exhibition “JOHANN STRAUSS – NEW DIMENSIONS” opens in the new Johann Strauss Museum. This enriches Vienna’s cultural and tourism offerings with an Art & Tech Exhibition: Immersive – Informative – Interactive.
On the occasion of Johann Strauss’ 200th birthday in 2025 7. November 2024 The innovative and popular exhibition opened, which showcases the genius of Strauss seven immersive acts makes it tangible. The “Art & Tech” exhibition is embedded in a comprehensive contemporary panorama that illustrates the political and social events of his era.
“Liverpool has the Beatles. Tennessee has Elvis Presley. Vienna has Strauss. Up to 50 million people watch the New Year’s concert every year, and countless tourists take photos of the golden statue in Vienna’s city park. But apart from this statue, there is hardly any comprehensive information about Johann Strauss. The new exhibition aims to close this gap,” said Peter Hosek, Managing Director of WKE Konzert- und Event Veranstaltungs GmbH and Ostrich Eventagentur GmbH.
Die digital production shows the life and work of Johann Strauss in all its dimensions and impresses in one way Area of approximately 900 m² with a unique motion-sensitive headphone system, the for the first time in Austria used in an exhibition. The exhibition impresses with its technical and artistic excellence and offers a multimedia symphony of entertainment and informationwho are over seven acts extends.
The first act takes us to 1825, when Johann Strauss’ father shaped the Viennese dance scene as the “devil’s violinist”. The second act highlights the revolution of 1848 and the tensions between generations. After his father’s death, Johann Strauss’ son began his international career. The third act shows his successes in Russia and his romantic entanglements. The fourth act highlights Strauss’ worldwide fame, particularly with the waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”. The fifth act is dedicated to the middle of his career, during which Strauss turned to operetta. The sixth act deals with his death in 1899 and the destruction of music archives by his brother Eduard. In the last act Strauss is presented in an immersive space as a pop star of his time. Modern technology makes music and experiences appear in a new light.
A special highlight of the exhibition is the composing machinewhich, inspired by the spirit of the waltz king Johann Strauss, takes visitors into the world of music and composing. Knobs that dance like the melodies are used to select notes that appear on a screen. This is how you create your own personal waltz step by step.
In the former Small House of Artwhich recently in „Johann Strauss Museum“ was renamed, this special exhibition finds its place. The use of the listed building arouses great public interest as it is centrally located between the Vienna State Opera and the Naschmarkt.
The exhibition will be opened by Ostrich Eventagentur GmbH with a planned budget of 2.2 million euros. The shareholders of the newly founded Ostrich Eventagentur GmbH include WKE Konzert- und Event Veranstaltungs GmbH, which has been known for its outstanding concerts at Schönbrunn Palace since 1994. With her subsidiary, CreARTive Digital- & Eventagentur GmbH, she has already realized several successful, immersive exhibitions in Vienna with over 350,000 visitors. The driving forces behind the project are the managing director Peter Hosek and his business partner at WKE, Paul Blaguss, as well as the award-winning film producer Kurt Stocker. The conception and development of the sustainable project is carried out in collaboration with Christian Sturminger and the company Media Apparat, an agency specializing in immersive and visual experiences. The “Schani” team includes prominent members such as the historian Wolfgang Maderthaner, the director Robert Neumüller and Günter Kerbler, founder of Kerbler Holding GmbH.
„JOHANN STRAUSS – NEW DIMENSIONS” is a privately financed, year-round highlight of the Johann Strauss Festival 2025. Together with the diverse activities of Johann Strauss 2025 Viennaunder the direction of festival director Roland Geyer, the 200th birthday of the Waltz King will be celebrated with all Viennese people and their guests.
JOHANN STRAUSS – NEW DIMENSIONS
Johann Strauss Museum | Friedrichstrasse 7, 1010 Vienna
Permanent exhibition from November 7, 2024
Ticket price: from 25 euros
www.johannstraussmuseum.at/de