On 6 November 2026, Albertina Modern in Vienna opens “Franz West: The Revolution of Sculpture”, a major retrospective timed for what would have been the artist’s 80th birthday in February 2027. The exhibition runs through 29 March 2027 and is presented as the largest West survey to date, under director Angela Stief.
Objects that become situations
Franz West (1947–2012) turned sculpture into something you could hold, wear or sit on. His legendary Adaptives (Passstücke) of the 1970s — prosthesis-like papier-mâché forms shaped by Viennese Actionism — invite viewers to complete the work with their own bodies. In Stief’s words, he led the autonomous artwork ad absurdum: objects become opportunities, art becomes a situation.
The hang ranges from oversize outdoor-scale pieces to wall works and room installations, drawing heavily on Albertina holdings enriched by the Essl Collection. Expected highlights include Sisyphos (2002), Uncle Chair (2001–2007), Symbol of Sexuality (1999–2000) and the Wegener Rooms (1988). West received the Golden Lion at the 2011 Venice Biennale after decades of documenta and Biennale appearances.
A twin opening across the city
On the same weekend, the Wien Museum opens “Franz West and Vienna” (to 2 May 2027), curated by Vincent Weisl, tracing how the city — from Hundertwasser affinities to contacts with the Wiener Gruppe, Friedl Kubelka, Josef Bauer and Valie Export — formed the young artist. Albertina director general Ralph Gleis and Wien Museum director Matti Bunzl framed the dual opening as a rare joint citywide homage. Combined tickets bring a discount.
Why Vienna, why now
West never left humour or wilfulness at the museum door. For visitors who know him mainly as a Biennale name, Albertina Modern offers the tactile argument; for locals, the Wien Museum supplies the biography. Together they return one of Austria’s most internationally influential artists to the streets and rooms that shaped him.