Discover Vienna's Outdoor Art: The Museum des Hinaufschauens & Urban Facade Art Exploration

The Museum des Hinaufschauens (MdH) is an outdoor, community-driven project dedicated to preserving and showcasing 20th-century facade art in Vienna. Founded by Magdalena Hiller and Gabriel Roland, it encourages public participation in documenting and archiving these often-overlooked artworks.

The Museum des Hinaufschauens (MdH) transforms Vienna's streets into an open-air gallery, focusing on facade-bound art from the 20th century, particularly mosaics and sgraffiti. Initiated by Magdalena Hiller and Gabriel Roland, the project aims to archive and research these artworks, many of which are integrated into municipal housing buildings rather than grand palaces. The MdH actively involves the public, inviting individuals to share their findings on social media using the hashtag #raufschauen, thereby contributing to a growing database of this unique urban art heritage. The founders highlight historical connections, such as the link between facade art in the 7th district and the Second Siege of Vienna in 1683, demonstrating the rich historical narratives embedded in the city's architecture. This initiative serves as a vital tool for art preservation and historical education, countering the potential destruction of these significant cultural assets. By leveraging community knowledge and digital platforms like Instagram, the MdH fosters a collective appreciation for Viennese art history. The project emphasizes that substantial artistic pieces can be found not only in traditional museums but also on the everyday buildings that shape the city's visual landscape. Visitors are encouraged to explore, observe, and participate, making the discovery of facade art an interactive and ongoing urban exploration.

As an outdoor museum, the Museum des Hinaufschauens does not have traditional opening hours or admission fees. It encourages exploration of public facades and participation through social media.