The Kunsthalle Wien has revived its recurring exhibition format "Lebt und arbeitet in Wien" (Lives and Works in Vienna) for the fifth time since 2000, presenting 56 artists selected from a pool of 700 local practitioners. Curated by Daniel Baumann, Monika Georgieva, and Michelle Cotton, the show spans two venues—the Museumsquartier and Karlsplatz—featuring works in painting, sculpture, installation, film, and video that reflect the city's diverse artistic landscape. The exhibition marks a return after a decade-long hiatus, filling gaps left since the previous edition under the curatorial collective WHW.
This exhibition matters because it attempts to capture the pulse of an entire city's art scene, highlighting Vienna's growing international appeal as a dynamic production hub where artists engage critically with conservative forces. The show underscores the city's ability to attract creatives from across the globe—with participants hailing from Bangladesh, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, and beyond—while also addressing the inherent challenges of curatorial selection and representation. It serves as a barometer for Vienna's contemporary art ecosystem and its evolving identity.