Hermann Nitsch 1960–1965

(re)opening the Vienna Actionism Museum with Hermann Nitsch

March 25, 2026, 5pm — 9pm

Wiener Aktionismus Museum, Vienna, AT

Following extensive renovation and expansion, the WIENER AKTIONISMUS MUSEUM reopens on 25 March 2026 with the exhibition HERMANN NITSCH. 1960–1965.

The presentation includes numerous works not previously exhibited, offering insight into the early oeuvre of one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. The exhibition centers on the decisive phase produced between the ages of 22 and 27, laying the foundation for his later oeuvre.

WIENER AKTIONISMUS MUSEUM, Weihburggasse 26, 1010 Vienna
+++ 26 March – 5 July 2026 +++ Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00

After completing his studies at the Graphic Arts Teaching and Research Institute in 1958, Hermann Nitsch became a graphic designer at the Technical Museum in Vienna. There he moved into a large studio and was able to work intensively on the scores for the O.M. Theater. He attempted to write a six-day-long primal drama that would summarize ancient tragedy, Shakespeare, Faust, Kleist, and Wagner and bring them together under a common denominator. Influenced by Freud and Jung, Nitsch wanted to incorporate myths of redemption, interpreted from a depth psychological perspective, into his work.

His original drama made use of language rich in sensual imagery. The book Die Wortdichtung des O.M. Theaters (The Word Poetry of the O.M. Theater) illustrates this phase of development. But then Nitsch asked himself why his audience should only be affected by verbally quoted memories of sensual sensations. So he demanded that they experience sensual experiences directly. Language was to be overcome. Only real events were to be staged. The Orgien Mysterien Theater was born.

In 1959, an exhibition at the Vienna Künstlerhaus showed tachist informal works by Sam Francis, Pollock, de Kooning, Tàpies, Mathieu, Rainer, and many others. These artists were doing what Hermann Nitsch was trying to achieve in theater. He joined this action painting movement. The first stage of the realization of the O.M. Theater took place on a picture surface.

The new exhibition at the “new” Vienna Actionism Museum is dedicated to the works created in the following years.

Wiener Aktionismus Museum
Weihburggasse 26
1010 Vienna
Austria
wieneraktionismus.at