Franz Kafka: „Die Gegenwart ist gespenstisch“ – A Centenary Exhibition at the Austrian National Library

This exhibition at the Literaturmuseum of the Austrian National Library commemorates the centenary of Franz Kafka's death. It explores his complex legacy and the enduring fascination with his works, particularly through adaptations in comic format by Nicolas Mahler. The exhibition runs from May 29, 2024, to January 12, 2025.

To mark the hundredth anniversary of Franz Kafka's death (1883–1924), the Literaturmuseum of the Austrian National Library presents an exhibition dedicated to this enigmatic figure of literary modernism. Kafka, born in Prague and deceased in Kierling/Klosterneuburg, continues to intrigue readers and artists alike. His multifaceted oeuvre has fostered myth-building, often in defiance of his own wish for his friend and executor Max Brod to destroy his work posthumously. The novels published after his death are now considered classics of world literature, inspiring contemporary artists to create new adaptations. Kafka's letters and diaries are also a source of fascination, offering grotesque insights into the complex inner world of a divided personality. For this exhibition, comic artist and artistic director of the Schule für Dichtung, Nicolas Mahler, draws upon this material. Mahler translates Kafka's tragicomic abysses into the comic format, providing a unique visual interpretation of the author's profound and often unsettling themes. Additionally, a new documentary film tracing Kafka's final months is shown in the museum's cinema space until January 12, 2025.

Information regarding tickets and admission can be found on the museum's website. The exhibition is part of the Literaturmuseum's offerings, and visitor access details should be confirmed on their official pages.