WHAT IS THERE
TO SEE?

It’s all about the senses and setting the scene for taking photos! Immerse yourself in other worlds, paint with light or jump into a ball pool! Cool music accompanies you!

We have now been to the Vienna IKONO, but you can take additionally a  look at our reports on IKONO Barcelona and IKONO Rome!

IKONO works together with artists who design the rooms. That’s why some elements / rooms can be found in several cities, others are only available in one city in particular.

And now follows Susi’s experience report!

What makes IKONO Vienna
so special?

From the outside, the building appears to be like any other on Mariahilfer Strasse in Vienna … grey façade, colourful advertising lights and a shop window… Even when you enter, you don’t believe that a fascinating world is hidden behind the black curtain: 12 rooms with interactive installations by international artists.

From room 1, it’s clear: ‘It’s going to be fun here!’ and not only that! If you take a little time to familiarise yourself with the artist’s idea, you might understand more than you realise at first glance. So first you go through hanging ‘spaghetti’, which makes you laugh, and then up the escalator…

This is followed by rooms (always hidden behind a heavy black curtain) that make childhood dreams come true or bring back childhood memories. Slot machines from the 80s (which can actually be played), ‘can shooting’, a ball pool and giant silver balloons that seem endless thanks to the mirrors on the walls. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with the art (yes, it is probably often overlooked/or forgotten, but what is on display is art), to touch it, use it or become part of it.

Two or three rooms are designed in the same or a similar way to Ikonos in other cities. But that doesn’t make the installation any less interesting. On the contrary! By seeing and experiencing it again, you can recognise subtleties that were not visible the first time. At least that’s how I felt when I walked through the glass labyrinth or saw the glowing yellow lanterns again. It was familiar to me, but not yet so familiar that I knew it by heart. So I tried out new things. For example, I took much more time, walked more slowly, closed my eyes from time to time, sat on the ground and touched the objects. I was able to concentrate more on my perception because I wasn’t as flashed as I was the first time.

Yes, the installations and the rooms are perfect for Instagram pictures or Tiktok videos. The lighting effects, the confetti and the variety of colours provide plenty of WOW moments. However, it should be emphasised that a visit is also worthwhile without social media and without using a smartphone. The different ways of interacting create memories that last even without digital help.

And I think that’s what makes IKONO Vienna so special.