The MuseumsQuartier Vienna in 2008

VIENNA, Austria, December 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Close to seven years after the MuseumsQuartier opened it has become an ever-present force in Vienna's cultural and social life: every year, nearly 3.5 million people visit the venue, which is home to more than 50 differing art and cultural institutions. With a wealth of programs and restaurants in its courtyards, the MQ has become one of the most popular meeting points of Vienna's inhabitants.

MUMOK, KUNSTHALLE wien (ART HALL Vienna), Leopold Museum, Architekturzentrum Wien (Architectural Center Vienna)

The large museums and exhibition venues of the MQ present themselves from their most versatile side in 2008.

At the Museum of Contemporary Art Foundation Ludwig Vienna (Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien), exhibit "Precise and Different" ("Genau und Anders") will explore the relationship between "The Arts and Mathematics from Durer to Sol LeWitt" as of February and in the summer "Bad Painting. Fine Art Between Trash, Speculation and Criticism" will give insights into intentionally "bad" paintings created by prominent artists. At the MUMOK starting in October: A great Peter Kogler retrospective.

As of February, the Leopold Museum will show its largest exhibit to date featuring Albin Egger-Lienz (1868-1926) and in conjunction with the FIFA European Soccer Championship it will present "The Contemporary Art of the Faroe Islands" ("Moderne Kunst der Faroer Inseln"). In the summer, "Vienna Circa 1900" ("Wien um 1900") will introduce the new Art Nouveau collection exhibit, while a major Christian Schad (1894-1982) retrospective will debut in September.

The new year also has a lot in store for culture fiends at the KUNSTHALLE wien. To name just as few: "Matthew Barney. Drawing Restraint" starts in March,"Punk - No one is innocent" is slated for May and October gives insights into the work of David Hockney with "Lovers, Friends, Still Lives, Landscapes and Some Dogs".

Architecture fans have a lot to look forward to as well: as of February, the Architecture Center Vienna will present "The White City of Tel Aviv - Tel-Aviv's Modern Movement", in June the "Linz Texas" exhibit will open ahead of the celebration of European Capital of Culture Linz 2009 and the city's partnership with numerous other towns. In October the Architecture Center Vienna will be converted into the "Architectural Crime Scene" ("Tatort Architektur").

http://www.mumok.at

http://www.kunsthallewien.at

http://www.leopoldmuseum.org

http://www.azw.at

Enthralling program for children and adolescents

The children and youth institutions at the MuseumsQuartier will also present thrilling programs in 2008: the ZOOM Kindermuseum (ZOOM Children's Museum) will open the interactive exhibit "Everything Soccer" ("Rund um den Ball") in Vienna in March on the occasion of the FIFA European Soccer Cup. In September it will familiarize children with "Life and Thinking in Ancient Greece" ("Leben und Denken im antiken Griechenland").

The DSCHUNGEL WIEN - Theater will beckon young audiences to the international dance festival "Scene of Colorful Fantasies" ("Szene Bunte Wahne") in February and will open its Winter Academy "Let's say we'll cross over" ("Sagen wir, wir setzen uber") - a collaborative production of young people from Berlin, Istanbul and Vienna. Other highlights: the Accordion Festival (February & March), Kick&Stage (Youth Theater Festival with a Soccer Theme, March & June) and Music Festival DSCHUNGEL WIEN MODERN (November).

http://www.kindermuseum.at

http://www.dschungelwien.at

Tanzquartier Vienna

The Tanzquartier Vienna will show a long list of outstanding local and international productions in 2008. Special highlights in February: guest performances by SASHA WALTZ & Guests or THE FORSYTHE COMPANY. Between January and May, the TQW will be a partner of the EU speech series "Talks on Europe" ("Reden uber Europa") and the Factory Season (May & June) will be entirely dedicated to focus topic games with its studio performances and outdoor projects.

http://www.tqw.at

Halls E+G

Halls E+G will once again host the "Vienna Festival Weeks" ("Wiener Festwochen") starting in May; in April "Forbidden Ronacher" will be center stage at Hall E with its fresh musical persiflage.

http://www.halleneg.at

http://www.festwochen.at

quartier21

Not only will quartier21 focus on digital culture and design next year, it will also be the venue of numerous events presented by the fashion institutions. The international Artist-in-Residence Program will also continue and will once again invite about 35 artists to work in the MQ's 5 artist studios.

http://quartier21.mqw.at/

MuseumsQuartier Wien Hofe

The summer at the MQ Vienna Courtyards ("Sommer im MQ") opens its doors on April 30 with the ever popular city furniture in a new color. This year it will of course offer its well-known program highlights such as the open air literature festival "O-Tone". It will also premiere a digital film festival.

For details please visit http://www.mqw.at

For further questions please contact: MuseumsQuartier Wien E+B GmbH, Anita Resch, phone: +43-1-523-58-81-1712, email: a.resch@mqw.at