FRANZ WEST
The Revolution of Sculpture
From 6 November 2026
ALBERTINA MODERN, VIENNA
The ALBERTINA Museum is devoting a retrospective to Franz West (1947–2012) in honor of what would have been his 80th birthday. This nonconformist artist, known for an unruly personality characterized by willfulness and humor, participated in multiple editions of documenta and the Venice Biennale, whose Golden Lion he received in 2011.
It was under the influence of Viennese Actionism that West originated his legendary Adaptives in the 1970s: by being worn, held, and applied, these prothesis-like objects adapt to the human body’s shapes and give the audience the opportunity to interact. Objects thus become opportunities, with art becoming a situation. West’s oeuvre breaks boundaries, connects art with life, and has inspired multiple generations of artists. This presentation pays homage to one who removed art from its pedestal to place it in the thick of life.
To mark Franz West’s 80th birthday in February 2027, two exhibitions will open in Vienna on November 5, 2026 – Franz West. The Revolution of Sculpture, a comprehensive retrospective at the Albertina Modern, and Franz West and Vienna at the Wien Museum.
On view from 6 November 2026 to 29 March 2027 at the ALBERTINA MODERN.
Franz West | Sisyphos, 2002 | The ALBERTINA Museum, Vienna – The ESSL Collection | 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: Lisa Rastl
Franz West | Untitled, 1983 | The ALBERTINA Museum, Vienna – The ESSL Collection | 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: Photoatelier Laut, Vienna
Franz West | Symbol of Sexuality, 1999-2000 | ALBERTINA, Vienna – The Haselsteiner Family Collection 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo © Galerie Elisabeth & Klaus Thoman / Sexualitätssymbol, Franz West – Die Aluskulptur im Schlosspark Ambras, Galerie Elisabeth & Klaus Thoman, 2000
Franz West | Two Lemures, 2002 | ALBERTINA, Vienna – The Haselsteiner Family Collection ALBERTINA, Vienna – The ESSL Collection 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: © ALBERTINA, Vienna
Heimo Zobernig, Franz West, Herbert Brandl, Otto Zitko | Untitled, 1988 | Private Collection, Courtesy Hauser & Wirth 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West Heimo Zobernig, Herbert Brandl, Otto Zitko © Bildrecht, Vienna 2026 | Photo: Stefan Altenburger Photography Zürich
Franz West | Wegener Rooms 2/6–5/6, 1988 | Sammlung Grässlin, St. Georgen 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: Wolfgang Günzel
Franz West | Box on the Ear (painted by Eugenia Rochas), ca. 1979–1984 | WAM, permanent loan Ph. Konzett, Vienna 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West © Eugenia Rochas | Photo: Wolfgang Reichmann
Franz West | Untitled, ca. 1972–73 | WAM, permanent loan Ph. Konzett, Vienna 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: Wolfgang Reichmann
Franz West | Untitled, 2009 | Maja Hoffmann / Luma Foundation 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: Jorit Aust, Courtesy Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zürich
Franz West | Larrey Rue, 1986 | 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West WAM, permanent loan Ph. Konzett, Vienna | Photo: Wolfgang Reichmann
Franz West | Judith and Ludwig (Poster Design “The Power of Women”), 2007 | ALBERTINA, Vienna – The Haselsteiner Family Collection 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: ALBERTINA, Vienna
Heidi Harsieber | Unknown persons with „Passstücken'', 1983 | 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West Heidi Harsieber © Bildrecht, Vienna 2026 | Photo: Heidi Harsieber
Friedl Kubelka | o.T., 1974 | Franz West © Estate Franz West 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West Friedl Groeller-Kubelka © Bildrecht, Vienna 2026 | Photo: Friedl Groeller Kubelka
Heimo Zobernig, Franz West | Small Essl (Detail), 1997 | ALBERTINA, Vienna – The Haselsteiner Family Collection 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photo: ALBERTINA, Vienna
Franz West | Uncle Chair, 2001–2007 | Hall Collection. Courtesy Hall Art Foundation. 2026 © Archiv Franz West, © Estate Franz West | Photos: Roman März
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