So it’s Saturday evening. And honestly, on most Saturday evenings a stroll through Innsbrucks museums and art galleries is not on my agenda. Not because they are not usually opened until 1 am, but rather because my free time is packed with sports and hanging out with friends. We all know Innsbruck is predestined for those kinds of activities and as great as our mountains are, every now and then you just need to release that artsy little nerd in you. Hence, the “Lange Nacht der Museen” was the perfect opportunity to fully expose ourselves to the ultimate culture-shock. Okay, after four years of living in Innsbruck it was probably less of a culture-shock, but actually a real surprise what extraordinary exhibitions and galleries of contemporary and traditional art Innsbruck has to offer. And as Henri Matisse once said: An artist is an explorer. So off we went to explore a whole new side of our Innsbruck…

1st stop: FO.KU.S

FO.KU.S – Photographic art at the Sparkassenplatz

FO.KU.S is one of the very few art galleries in Innsbruck that I visit regularly and again this time I wasn’t disappointed by the currently featured photographer VIVIANE SASSEN. Many of her photos were taken in Africa, and her style is a  beautiful composition of elegantly constructed, yet provocative characteristics. Her works are distinctively strong in shadows and lights, telling us a contrastive story of a modern and still traditional Africa. At least that’s how I would describe it as a complete amateur. But hey, #arthasnorules!

Contemporary photographic art forum

Viviane Sassen – Lexicon

2nd stop: Audioversum

Audioversum – frei est heater in nsbruck

Science is the poetry of reality. Who said that? Anyhow, for those of you who are driven by a constant curiosity and like burning questions about hearing, colour and the earth to be answered, the Audioversum is definitely your go-to museum. Perfect for escaping your own four walls on a rainy afternoon, especially with kids.

No matter how old – curiosity never stops!

Audio Check at Audioversum

listen and wonder… adventure earth

Astonishing satellite images at Audioversum

What role do colours play in our everyday life?

…Indeed fascinating colours

3rd stop: aut. architektur und tirol

Architecture is just art we live in. When walking into the – a bit hidden – exhibition you are immediately welcomed by an architecturally interesting wooden construct, which invites to sit, rest and consume certain (hops-containing) beverages. Before that you might want to check out the basement floor – where interesting models, designs and projects are displayed. Even for non-architecture-students a definite mind blower, clearly showing once again that art does not have to be in a museum to be art!

Originalty. Aut.

Attention to detail. Aut.

Last stop: Stadtturm Innsbruck

City tower. Sounds huge. The translation might not quite fit, but our beautiful historic tower located right in the middle of the old town is still high enough to enjoy a fantastic view above the roofs of Innsbruck (especially high enough when you have to climb 133 stairs). Given the lateness of the hour, we decided to call it a night and save a few of Innsbrucks many great museums for later. It’s rather unlikely that we’ll turn into complete art-geeks over night… but if so, the Lange Nacht der Museen can make it happen!

The best view comes after the hardest climb… or after 148 steps.

Not only at the Lange Nacht der Museen can you fully hurl yourself into the unique culture and art experience á la tyrolienne,. With the Innsbruck Card you get a free one-time admission to all museums and historical sites in Innsbruck.

Photos by Lena Koller and Fabian Spindler