26 November 2025  A Viennese Holiday Tradition in Contemporary ArtThe Heidi Horten Collection in Vienna has established a unique Advent tradition: each year, contemporary artists are invited to rethink the idea of the Christmas tree. Since its opening in 2022, the museum has used this format to bring a humorous, clever, and sometimes provocative perspective on the festive season. This year marks the first Advent installation under the museum's new director, Verena Kaspar-Eisert, who welcomed guests at the opening of the 2025 installation by the artist group Gelatin (also known as Gelitin). Frohes Fest 2 is on view from 26 November 2025 to 2 February 2026.Gelatin's Characteristic Mix of Humor and ProvocationGelatin is internationally known for artworks that blend sculpture, performance, absurdity, and playful provocation. Their pieces often explore the imperfect and the spontaneous, frequently using the human body as a starting point. In Frohes Fest 2, the group created a three-meter-tall, soft, flesh-colored figure balancing delicately on a museum bench. The sculpture shifts between acrobatics and theatrical gesture, decorated with Christmas ornaments that highlight fragile pressure points. This humorous yet pointed moment reflects the familiar emotional blend of Advent: joy, stress, expectation, and the challenge of staying in balance during a demanding season.The artists describe their sculpture as "a balance between gesture and gymnastics. A self-staging of risk, festivity, and joy situated in a romantic precariat." According to the museum's press information, the work offers a fresh interpretation of the Christmas tree that avoids cliché and consumerism, focusing instead on wit and thoughtful observation. A Quiet Pause in the Advent RushFor visitors, the Heidi Horten Collection offers more than contemporary art: it provides calm. During the busy weeks before Christmas, the museum's architecture and atmosphere create space for reflection. Frohes Fest 2 adds a playful and slightly subversive commentary on seasonal rituals, making the museum an appealing cultural stop for anyone looking to experience Vienna's artistic side in December.Image: At the opening of the Christmas installation on 24 November 2025, new director Verena Kaspar-Eisert addresses a large audience inside the museum. In front of the crowd, Gelatin's balancing, soft-textured sculpture stands on a bench. Photo: © Andreas Tischler / Vienna Press |