In Gmunden

Third picture by Helnwein will soon be taken down

View of the town hall square in Gmunden: Gottfried Helnwein covered the town hall(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

Only one picture remains of the three exciting works of art that Gottfried Helnwein hung in Gmunden at the town theater and town hall. And that will soon be removed, as the "Krone" has learned. But Helnwein remains loyal to the town on Lake Traun, because he still has something planned there this year.

The winter was hot: after the powder dance at the opening of the Capital of Culture, the next Salzkammergut upset was unveiled: Shock artist Gottfried Helnwein hung works on buildings in Gmunden.

However, two of a total of three pictures - the bloody child and the child in uniform - were taken down again after just six weeks and had to make way for posters for another cultural event, as we reported.

Will the pictures return?
Where have the world star's artworks gone, asks the "Krone"? "In the warehouse of the municipality of Gmunden," reports Andreas Hecht, Head of Cultural Affairs. "There are plans for the further use of the pictures, which will be communicated in good time."

The subject "Smile" hung for almost six weeks at the municipal theater(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

Gottfried Helnwein in Gmunden(Bild: Wenzel Markus)

There are next plans
The third picture, "Memories", which shows two children kissing, is still hanging at the town hall but will be removed in mid-April. It was always intended to be there. It will make way for the next artistic intervention. Hecht also reveals the cost of the canvases - they are not original works of art, but prints: production and hanging 12,157 euros.

Helnwein will continue to be present in Gmunden, as the Salzkammergut Festival Weeks are currently preparing a major exhibition of his work at the Kammerhof Museum and in the Bürgerspitalskirche.

The "Krone" has learned the first details: collectors are making originals available. These will include some works that have never been shown before. Helnwein is personally designing the exhibition (opening June 13). So the summer will also be hot.