Take Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf and give them free run of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM). The result of their journey through the collections is a special exhibition with the intriguing title, Spitzmaus Mummy in a Coffin and Other Treasures.
- Eclectic mix of items from the museum
- Runs Nov 6, 2018 – April 28, 2019
- Requires a standard adult ticket to the museum (or free with a Vienna Pass)
- See also:
- Current KHM museum info for visitors
- Current & future art exhibitions in Vienna
What’s it all about?
As one of the leading art history museums in the world, the KHM (Kunsthistorisches Museum) likes to throw out the occasional exhibition with a difference.
The Spitzmaus Mummy… exhibition is the third in a series where selected artists pull together their own personal favourites from the KHM’s vast collections.
In this case, Wes Anderson and Juman Malouf take up the mantle of curation, following in the footsteps of the pop artist, Ed Ruscha (2012), and ceramic artist, Edmund de Waal (2016).
Their task was not an easy one, since the KHM includes a number of extensive collections in various areas of art, from coins to carriages and Ramesses to Rubens.
The result is an eclectic mix of over 400 objects. The items have no labels attached, so don’t forget to pick up a free guide booklet (available in English and German) from the exhibition entrance before you go around.
Having taken a look, I’d say you can consider the selection a kind of “best of” with a touch of the alternative about it.
Wes Anderson is, of course, a well-known figure in the film world, an Academy Award nominee, and winner of a Golden Globe and a Silver Bear.
Juman Malouf is a novelist, costume designer and illustrator, whose creations have featured in such films as The Grand Budapest Hotel.
And if you’ve spotted the connection there, then, yep, the two are partners.
Incidentally, the actual Spitzmaus Mummy in a coffin remains one of my favourite exhibits at the museum. It’s just what it says on the label: a mummified Spitzmaus (shrew) in a tiny coffin, dating back over 2,300 years to ancient Egypt. It was likely an offering to a God (a little different to chocolates and a bunch of flowers, I guess).
Dates, tickets & tips
The exhibition runs from Tuesday, November 6, 2018 to Sunday, April 28, 2019. At the time of writing, standard adult tickets to the museum cost €15. Concessions are available and the Vienna Pass sightseeing ticket gets you in for free.
How to get to the exhibition
The KHM sits opposite the Natural History Museum on a square next to Vienna’s huge Ring boulevard. It’s quite central and on the typical tourist trail.
Subway: You want the “Volkstheater” station on the U2 or U3 lines
Tram/bus: The “Ring/Volkstheater” station sits above the subway station. Various tram lines stop here, including the D, 71, 46, 49 and 2, as well as the 48A bus.
Address: Burgring 7, 1010 Vienna | Website