From the banana to the jesters cap
The design of the Karikaturmuseum Krems is one-of-kind and the stories behind Austria's only museum for satirical art are also special.From the banana to the jester's cap
Whimsical and amusing things about the Karikaturmuseum Krems
The design of the Karikaturmuseum Krems is one-of-kind and the stories behind Austria’s only museum for satirical art are also special. In the following, discover whimsical and amusing things about the institution for comics, cartoons, and historical caricature.
Satire itself has planned the museum
An architect who takes aim at politics and society as a caricaturist, or rather a caricaturist who has made a name for himself as an architect beyond Austria’s borders: Gustav Peichl aka IRONIMUS was the best-qualified candidate to design the Karikaturmuseum Krems. It was also the express wish of founding father Manfred Deix that Peichl should be the architect responsible for Austria’s most humorous museum. The Karikaturmuseum Krems was constructed between 2000 and 2001 according to Peichl’s plans. For over twenty years, the museum has not only been filled with biting satire, but also welcomes its visitors with the finest humor on arrival thanks to its friendly facade face and jester’s cap as a roof. Learn more about the history of the Karikaturmuseum Krems here.
11 Points
The jagged roof of the Karikaturmuseum Krems is no secret. That the roof has exactly eleven points might be something you already counted. But if our experience is any guide you haven’t. But if you did: count yourself among the lucky ones if you came away without a stiff neck. What you probably didn’t know: the points represent a jester’s cap AND also refer to the gables of the old town of Stein, which borders directly on the Kunstmeile Krems. To find out more about the fascinating architecture of the Karikaturmuseum Krems, you can continue reading here.
Marked by a banana
Have you ever noticed the yellow banana to the right of the entrance door to the Karikaturmuseum Krems? “Not unusual for a museum dedicated to humor,” you think? Nevertheless, the banana’s origin is still worth mentioning because the fruit was created by the banana spray painter himself.
German artist Thomas Baumgärtel has been marking selected art locations with the so-called spray-painted banana since 1986. He does this to draw attention to the freedom of artistic expression and recognizes, in our view, special exhibition venues. We were delighted by the project and so the spray-painted banana still graces our entrance today—marked by a banana!
Manfred Deix’s only work of public art
Manfred Deix has created over thousands of caricatures. But there is only one public art piece by Deix: Mr. and Mrs. Austrian. The two bronze sculptures represent the typical male or female Austrian and epitomize the Deix figure. The cheerful couple can be admired in front of the Karikaturmuseum Krems and is a popular selfie motif.
Parrots flying at caricatures
Our exhibitions appeal to diverse audiences from children to grandparents (and we are delighted about this). So we were not surprised when an elderly lady with a baby carriage visited the Karikaturmuseum Krems. When strange noises were heard coming from the stroller, they quickly caught our attention. We’ll spare you the “you have three guesses” and get to the bottom of the mystery right away: there was a parrot in the stroller! Since then, we’ve modified our house rules from “no dogs allowed” to “no pets allowed.”
Our chestnut tree: a late bloomer
You can count on it! Every year, delicate, white-pink blossoms adorn the chestnut tree in front of the Karikaturmuseum Krems. Specifically, we’re talking about the chestnut tree located to the right of the Deix sculpture Mr. Austrian. “A chestnut tree blooming is nothing special,” you’re probably thinking. “That’s not quite true,” we reply. Because the season when it blooms is uncommon. Every year in fall, in September to be precise, the tree is in full bloom. Over the years, the tree’s splendor has become a popular photo motif. Seize the opportunity and take your snapshot of the special blooming species with us in fall.
“Come on, now it’s just getting fun,” you’re thinking with a hint of regret? “No need to be sad,” we reply. Because our staff have even more enlightening tales to share in our video series.