Best of Parallel Vienna 2024: Our Highlights from the Art Fair
It was one of those perfect September days where everything seemed to align—the sky was scattered with luscious clouds, and the blue between them seemed richer, almost like something out of a Matisse painting.
Dominique Catherina Foertig
What is Parallel Vienna?
The extraordinary backdrop set the tone for what awaited us at Parallel Vienna 2024, held once again in the historic Otto Wagner complex.
Arriving at noon, we started our journey in the old theatre before winding our way through the adjacent pavilions, climbing tiled staircases and exploring echoing hallways.
Parallel Vienna: Artworks by Elisabeth Süß, whose striking large-scale painting captivates with bold strokes, alongside Laura Weiss’s intriguing fusion of an edible piece and a textile sculpture on the floor. In the background, Martin Fink’s expansive green painting, featuring apples, adds a refreshing natural dimension to the exhibition. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
The sheer variety was remarkable—there was something for every taste. Some works captured our hearts immediately, while others left us with the sense that the artist's vision might still be in the process of taking shape.
Dominique Catherina Foertig
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But that’s part of what makes Parallel Vienna 2024special—the discovery, the conversation, the mix of different voices.
Tina Dobrajc’s paintings were one of those “aha” moments we look for, a refreshing discovery and a new direction for Gallery Ernst Hilger.
The bold use of color and striking compositions grabbed us from the start, and we found ourselves falling for her work instantly.
There’s something magnetic about the way she brings these surreal, eerie landscapes to life, creating an unforgettable experience.
Tina Dobrajc’s at PARALLEL VIENNA 2024, presented by Ernst Hilger Gallery | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Mariya Vasilyeva’s video installation was another standout, charming us with her exploration of power dynamics, feminism, and body politics, effortlessly blending private and public life through her various roles.
Parallel Vienna 2024: Mariya Vasilyeva is a video and performance artist based between Austria and Germany. Trained in fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and the University for Applied Arts in Vienna, her work spans live performance, digital collage, and video installation. Vasilyeva explores power dynamics, feminism, and body politics, often using her own body to reflect on societal pressures and identity as a Ukrainian immigrant in Western Europe. Through digital manipulation, she transforms herself into an object, highlighting themes of vulnerability and the abuse of power, especially regarding sexuality, religion, and race. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Bianca Kennedy, represented by Krinzinger Schottenfeldgasse, brought a lightness with her playful yet profound works that made us smile and think in equal measure.
At Parallel Vienna 2024, experience the Artist Bianca Kennedy’s powerful 5-channel installation, presented by KRINZINGER SCHOTTENFELD. Titled “Angers”, this 4:40-minute portrait-format installation confronts the audience with intense, unfiltered expressions of female rage, drawing from iconic films like Pearl and Don’t Worry Darling. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Stefan Zsaitsits' pencil drawings for Gallery 433 were nothing short of captivating. His intricate lines and storytelling left us completely absorbed, while Gannet Dumricher and Niklas Konstacky provided a calming contrast with their nature-inspired works, grounding the entire experience.
At Parallel Vienna 2024, the Artist Stefan Zsaitsits, presented by Galerie 422. His exhibition, “Debris. Digging Through Fragments”, showcases stunning large-scale graphite works, blending dense naturalistic settings with surreal elements. From September 11 to 15, 2024, experience this unique visual narrative at the Otto Wagner site. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
And finally, seeing Paul Riedmüller’s works in person for the first time was a true joy—they fully lived up to the anticipation.
Paul Riedmüller – Parallel Vienna 2024: Personal Note: Finally, meeting a Munchies Art Club feature wishlist artist in person! Born in 1989 in Graz, Paul Riedmüller lives and works in Vienna as a painter, graphic designer, illustrator, and muralist. A 2017 graduate of the University of Applied Arts Vienna, where he studied under Judith Eisler, he is also a member of the Vienna-based printing collective SOYBOT | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Parallel Vienna 2024: EtchingRoom1 artist duo Anna Khodkova and Kristina Yarosh are part of the group show Office Ukraine. Support for Ukrainian Artists. This initiative highlights the work of Ukrainian artists and cultural workers who fled the war and are now living in Austria, offering them a platform to showcase their talents. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
PARALLEL VIENNA 2024: On the left, Carlos Vergara presents a powerful artist statement on trauma and memory, while on the right, Stephanie Winter showcases Salon Hybrid | Motherboard 2.0 | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Parallel Vienna 2024: Gallerie Martinetz presents the bold and provocative work of Sophia Süssmilch. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Parallel Vienna 2024: Omer Faruk Kaplan presents an artist statement exploring the relationship between materiality and concepts of use. Influenced by Arte Povera and Minimal Art, Kaplan's minimalist installations utilize everyday materials to reflect on identity, origin, and cultural affiliation. His works invite viewers to discover multi-layered stories, shaped by his personal journey as part of the 3rd generation of immigrants in Germany. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Parallel Vienna 2024: Anneliese Schrenk captivates with her unique exploration of the senses, particularly the evocative smell of leather. Her artist statement resonates deeply, offering a sensory and emotional experience that we love | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Darja Shatalova: Artist Portrait and Details of her new installation | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
PARALLEL VIENNA 2024: Artist Karim Hussein stands proudly in front of his painting, having recently completed his diploma at Kunst University Linz. To the right, Ahoo Maher's powerful artist statement adds depth to the exhibition, offering an intriguing exploration of her artistic journey. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
Parallel Vienna 2024: First, Sophie Tiller's work on paper, supported by Medienwerkstatt Vienna, followed by Madita Kloss, represented by Sophia Vonier Gallery. Polina Sokolova and Katja Gürtel's paintings, supported by Gallery Rudolf Leeb, captivate viewers. An insightful artist statement "Cellular Landscape" by Sophie Luise Passow complements the showcase. | Image Courtesy of Munchies Art Club
By the time we left, we were not just inspired but deeply connected to the art and the people behind it.
Parallel Vienna 2024 delivered everything we hoped for—a vibrant mix of emerging voices and seasoned talent, all set against one of the most striking backdrops in the city.
Parallel Vienna 2024
Stay tuned for more highlights from this extraordinary event, where art pushes boundaries and challenges perceptions in every corner of this atmospheric venue
What else is happening in Vienna during Parallel Vienna 2024:
Dominique Catherina Foertig
Vienna Contemporary 2024
Dominique Catherina Foertig
Gallery Festival Vienna
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