Graz–Jul. 11, 2025

Klagenfurt

I took a day trip to Klagenfurt, the capital of the state of Kärnten (Carinthia). It’s a two-hour bus trip with one stop in Wolfsberg. I’m not a big fan of buses, but this one was a double-decker, and quite comfortable. Also, on the way there I got to see sections of Graz that I hadn’t been to yet.

Here are photos from Klagenfurt, in no particular order.

Series of windows with semicircular area above rectangular area, and a triangular stone section above that.

Row of vertical poles. At top of each pole is a crossbar. The crossbars are all at different angles.

Monument to Arnulf of Carinthia

multicolored building support columns set at 60 and 120 degree angles.

Bench with multi-colored irregular blotches; behind bench is a bed of red flowers

Bernhard von Spanheim

statue of person preparing to slay a dragon

sculpture of person preparing to slay a dragon

bulb shaped base of post with spiral grooves

Mexican-style painting of Frida Kahlo. Next to it, a sign reading “Mamacita needs a Margarita”

Kärnten Museum of Modern Art

There were some nice sculptures around the balcony of the museum. The art inside was OK, but nothing particularly special.

abstract metal chair with mirror where seat should be

Sculpture of man lying on his side. It is made of several individual stones

I was amazed at how the artist, Otto Eder was able to make a sculpture of a dying man (the title of the work is „Sterbender“) with just these stones.

bench with text „Wo kommen die Stimme her“

Where do the voices come from

abstract painting that looks like two blue circular stains

The most impressive exhibit is called „die UNSCHULDSVERMUTUNG“ (Presumed Innocent). It’s a several-meter tall child’s hand inside a steel cage. This page may be updated to a newer exhibition at some point, but as of this writing, it describes the work.

The following pictures show the work, as well as the deconsecrated chapel where it is displayed.

More Photos of Klagenfurt

reliefwork people praying before christ on cross

People praying to a crucified Christ. At bottom of carving is a skull and crossbones.

If you haven’t figured it out by now, crucifixion scenes were really quite the thing back then.

Im Namen der Toleranz sollten wir das Recht beanspruchen, die Intoleranz nicht zu tolerieren. - Karl Raimund Popper

In the name of tolerance we must demand that we not tolerate intolerance. (See the paradox of tolerance.)

The City Theater

Im 60. Regierungsjahr Franz Josef 1 errichtet

Built in the 60th year of the rule of Franz Josef 1.

Circular planter with yellow flowers; a red star of flowers is in the circle.

Grafitti with names of plays: La Boheme, King Lear, and Evita

Head and shoulders of a woman in green baseball cap; a large eagle is depicted behind her

Österreich ist eine demokratische Republik. Ihr recht geht vom Volk aus. Alle Menschen sind frei und gleich an Würde und Rechten geboren.

Austria is a democratic republic. Your right comes from the people. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. (Quote from the Austrian constitution)

abstract metal sculpture of standing man

Black and white drawings of authors on museum wall

A museum dedicated to Robert Musil 🇦🇹

Miscellanea

Logo for a company that builds housing

Clever use of the German word „ist“ (meaning is). „Galerie der Künste“ means Gallery of Arts.

This one is also clever.

At left: ART OUT LET; at right: LET ART OUT

A sticker from the youth branch of the ultra-right-wing FPÖ. The translation works out to:

Freedom Youth Kärnten
Do you have your heart in the right place? COME JOIN US!
Red White Red is color enough!
Patriots month instead of Pride month!

Freiheitliche Jugend Kärnten / Du hast dein Herz am rechten Fleck? KOMM ZU UNS! / Rot Weiss Rot ist Bunt genug! / Patriotsmonth statt Pridemonth!