1985: Dream and Reality (Traum und Wirklichkeit) Exhibition

The exhibition Dream and Reality: Vienna 1870–1930 at the Vienna Künstlerhaus marked a turning point in the design of major Austrian historical exhibitions. Impressively mounted by architect Hans Hollein (1934–2014) in a lavish style and with completely new elements for the time, such as replicas, models and ensembles, the exhibition, which ran from March 28 until October 6, 1985, was also of central significance to the image and new definition of Vienna as a European metropolis.

Dream and Reality also triggered a new conversation about the indirect returns of publicly subsidised events, that is, events publicly funded via the “detour” of private revenues are also profitable for the public sector. As a result, major exhibitions became the focus of cultural policy, and turned out to be an economic factor in and stimulus for Vienna’s tourism industry.

With 622,000 visitors, this show remains the most visited exhibition of the Wien Museum.

External Resources (in German only):

https://www.mediathek.at/atom/10B8C65C-00F-000CF-00000320-10B81BDA