Halloween Cake

In Austria Halloween became popular only in the 1990s. I remember being a little amazed when I saw the first pumpkin faces in the windows and gardens... But in in the meanwhile it has become a considerable business. If you have a sweet tooth, you can even buy a halloween cake. Happy Halloween!

Sunday Flowers #21

These autumnal arrangements in front of a flower shop in the city center caught my eyes on a terrribly dull day (we had a lot of these days lately...).

Admiring Magritte

Visitors of the MUMOK (Museum Moderner Kunst) admiring René Magritte´s "La voix du sang" (The Voice of Blood, 1959). For art lovers: The other two paintings are by Jean Fautrier and Bruno Goller.

Museum Of Desires

Last Sunday I was at the MUMOK (Museum Moderner Kunst) which reopened in September after some months of renovations (as I told you here). In her first exhibition the new director is presenting her subjective point of view of the museum´s nine-thousand-work collection. In amongst the exhibits from the collection there are works that the museum would like to acquire in the coming years (hence the title of the exhibition "Museum of Desires"). On the ground floor the oversized spider sculpture "La Vedova Blu" (The Blue Widow, 1968) by Italian artist Pino Pascali welcomes the visitors.

Beaulieu

Some weeks ago I told you about a new French bistro at Ferstel Palace. Recently I went back there with some friends of mine - we had a very nice evening.

Autumnal Promenade

Today is National Holiday, Austria is celebrating its Declaration of Neutrality (1955). This day off is a good opportunity to take an extensive walk with friends or family. By the way, the buildig in the background is the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts).

Oskar Kokoschka

In front of the University of Applied Arts Vienna you can find a bust of Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980), an Austrian artist, poet and playwright best known for his intense expressionistic portraits and landscapes. At the beginning of the 20th century, Oskar Kokoschka was a student of the “K.k. Kunstgewerbeschule des Museums für Kunst und Industrie”, as the University was called at the time; later on he was a member of the teaching staff. In 1998 the “Oskar Kokoschka Centre” was founded - it comprehends a research library, a photographic collection, archives, and, since 2005, the private library of Oskar and Olda Kokoschka.

Keep It Under Your Hat

Autumnal hats for ladies who love headdresses.

Sunday Flowers #20

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." - Stanley Horowitz

Umbrella Vending Machine

I discovered this umbrella vending machine in a subway station. Just push a button, insert € 3,- and get your new umbrella. I didn´t try it, so I can´t tell you anything about the design of the umbrellas.

The Abandoned Umbrella

The umbrella looks fully functional to me. I´m wondering why it has been abandoned - it is such an important acessory in autumn...

Museum Relaunch

Last month the MUMOK (Museum Moderner Kunst) reopened after some months of renovations and architectural changes. The relaunch also involves the redesign of the museum´s logo by Austrian artist Florian Pumhösl. In this photo you can see the new fluorescent letters on the facade. I hope to soon find the time to check out the changes inside the building.

Hollywood In Vienna

Today the exhibition "Bigger Than Life. A century of Hollywood. A Jewish experience" starts at the newly reopened Jewish Museum Vienna. The windows of the museum´s first floor are covered with photos of some of Hollywood´s stars of the 1940s, as for example the beautiful Lauren Bacall.

Kinsky Palace #2

A glimpse into the courtyard of Kinsky Palace.

Kinsky Palace #1

The baroque Kinsky Palace was commissioned by Count Wirich Philipp von Daun, the construction started in 1717 under the direction of architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. In 1784 it was sold to the Bohemian Kinsky family, therefore it´s also known as "Palais Daun-Kinsky". Today it houses an auction house and a restaurant.

Sunday Flowers #19

"Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?" - Maurice Maeterlinck

Yellow Scooter

An old yellow scooter discovered in the second district - a splash of colour on a dull autumn day...

Palace of Justice

The Palace of Justice was projected by Alexander Wielemans von Monteforte and built from 1875 to 1881 in a neo-renaissance style. The building was set on fire in 1927 after violent demonstrations following the collapse of Creditanstalt, the largest bank in Austria at that time.

For Chocoholics #2

The same chocolate shop as yesterday, but now we are inside. When the weather is bad (as currently), you can enjoy your sweet treat curled up in one of these armchairs.

For Chocoholics #1

This chocolate shop in the city center is the perfect place for chocoholics. When the weather is fine you can even sit outside. I love these tables and the chairs with the cushions.

Façade detail #7

The Szechenyi Palace was built in 1896 in the historicist style for Baron Albert von Schloissnig. As of 1927 it was for a long time in possession of the Hungarian countess Marta Széchényi. Nowadays it houses a carpet store. I love the decorations of the façade, especially the atlantes.

Autumnal Cake

I still can´t get over the sudden drop of temperature, from one day to the other autumn was here. Even the cakes are now looking autumnal... I discovered this one in the window of the "Patisserie zum Schwarzen Kameel" in the city center.

Sunday Flowers #19

"Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world." -

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sudden Change Of Weather

The Indian Summer came abruptly to an end. The day before yesterday the sun was shining and it was very warm, yesterday it was cold and rainy. It´s finally time to dig out the autumn wardrobe - or to go shopping for some new clothes... and accessories of course.

Home Is Where The House Is

Beautiful mansions in a quiet narrow street in the 19th district on a beautiful late summer evening. It must be great living there...

Bicylces

We are currently having an unbelievable beautiful Indian summer with unusual high temperatures for the season. Everybody tries to take advantage of the great weather: the outdoor areas of the restaurants and the parks are crowded, a lot of cyclists are on their way and park their bicycles all over the city.

An Apple A Day...

These apples, discovered in the window of a designer furniture shop in the city center, are not meant to be eaten. They are eye-catching seat cushions! The green apple is called "Eve", the red one "Snow white".

I kind of like them. For more information please click here.

Nothing Special

Just an ordinary doorway of an apartment building in the second district and some nice flowers in front of the windows...

New Bistro

Some days ago I read about the opening of a new french bistro at Ferstel Palace in the city center. Being a very francophone person, I decided to go there as soon as possible. So, when I recently had a day off, I went there for lunch with a friend of mine. The tiny restaurant is very charming, it offers only a small, but very french selection of dishes. It is also an "épicerie fine", offering french cheese, herbs, honey, jams, teas, sparkling wines and sweets. I will definitely be back!

Sunday Flowers #18

"Autumn, the year´s last, loveliest smile." - William Cullen

October Theme Day: Mystery Object

I have been wondering for years what this brick on top of a doorway in Rauensteingasse might signify. Some months ago I finally made enquiries and found out that it marks the entrance to the masonic temple and the Grand Lodge of Austria. For a photo of the entire doorway please click here. You can find informations on the history of Freemasonry in Austria here.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants