The 17th-century building known as the Rupertinum, which houses part of the Museum der Moderne in Salzburg, Austria, has re-opened on 29 July following a five-month refurbishment.
The €950,000 renovation includes the addition of the new 3,800 sq. ft Generali Foundation study centre, housing a specialist library and archives linked to the art collection established in 1988 by the eponymous insurance company. The Generali Foundation comprises around 2,100 works by 200 international artists. Video works by artists including Dan Graham and Gordon Matta-Clark can be viewed in the new study centre.
The Museum der Moderne Salzburg and the foundation entered into a “unique partnership” in January 2014, which will see the institutions eventually merging together, according to a press statement. The museum now “holds one of the most important libraries and archives dedicated to contemporary art in Austria”, says Sabine Breitwieser, the museum director.
A new Franz West lounge furnished with items designed by the late Vienna-born artist is also open to visitors at the refurbished site.
Meanwhile, the Romanian artist Dan Perjovschi has created a new work for the Rupertinum atrium as part of the exhibition Visual Wit and Social Critique: Satire from Goya to Grosz (6 August-20 November). More than 200 satirical works on show take a swipe at topical issues past and present. “Broaching political, social and cultural issues of the day, Perjovschi’s critical examination of society brings the genre up to date,” a museum spokeswoman says.
Generali Foundation are sponsors of the museum renovation along with the state of Salzburg.