17 May 2025  Wrapped in Time: Art Meets Politics Ahead of Polish ElectionJust days before voters in Poland go to the polls to elect a new president on May 18, 2025, Vienna's skyline is making its own statement. Since early May, the iconic Ringturm has been transformed into a giant artwork titled 'Verbindende Geschichten' (Linking Tales), created by Polish artist Marcin Maciejowski.The artwork, prominently visible along the Donaukanal, was installed well ahead of the elections, drawing attention not only to Austria's vibrant art scene but also to its cultural and economic ties with its eastern neighbors. The transformation marks the 17th artistic wrapping of the Ringturm, a cultural initiative by the Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, main shareholder of Vienna Insurance Group (VIG). The Ringturm project has featured prominent artists since its inception. The first wrap in 2006 was by Christian Ludwig Attersee, while Marcin Maciejowski joins an esteemed list of creators including Xenia Hausner, Gottfried Helnwein, and Dóra Maurer — representing a balance of artistic voices from Austria and Central Eastern Europe. For a full overview, visit: wst-versicherungsverein.at. A Tower of Books: Maciejowski's "Linking Tales"Marcin Maciejowski, a Kraków-based painter known for his sharp, observational style that blends everyday life with art history, has turned the Ringturm into a monumental bookshelf. The artwork evokes the intimacy of a private home: on the side facing the canal, a man stretches toward a book on a high shelf, while the reverse features a bilingual inscription in Polish and German that reads in English, ""This book won't just become my story, but yours, too."This gesture of shared experience is central to Maciejowski's vision. He explains that books are more than just collections of knowledge; they serve as bridges between people and cultures. In his view, 'Linking Tales' becomes a threshold where private thought meets the public sphere. "Books contain the authors' experiences, but they also foster people's understanding of one another, they build bridges and bring cultures together. Books are a window on the world, and 'Linking Tales' on the Ringturm will become a crossover point between the spiritual inner world and public life," says Marcin Maciejowski of his work. Maciejowski, born in 1974, studied architecture and graphics in Kraków and co-founded the artist group Ładnie with Rafał Bujnowski and Wilhelm Sasnal. His work spans painting, drawing, comics, and public art, and has been exhibited widely, including a solo show at the National Museum in Kraków. A new artist monograph in collaboration with Wawel Royal Castle was published this year. Austria and Poland: Connected Economies, Shared FuturesThe artistic collaboration highlights more than just aesthetics — it reflects strong ties between Austria and Poland. Since entering the Polish market in 1998, Vienna Insurance Group has developed an extensive presence through its subsidiaries Compensa, Vienna Life, InterRisk, digital provider Beesafe, and the pension company Vienna PTE. Today, Poland ranks among VIG's most important core markets in Central and Eastern Europe.Cultural initiatives like the Ringturm wrapping are an extension of this partnership. As Robert Lasshofer, Chairman of the Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, puts it: "Our goal is to carry on writing the 'Linking Tales' that connect us, not just in a commercial sense, but in terms of our cultural ties, too," Until June 20, visitors can also explore Modernism in Krakow, a free exhibition on Kraków's architectural modernism, hosted at the Ringturm's ground-floor gallery. A Tapestry of Stories in a Connected WorldIn a time marked by global uncertainty and renewed nationalism, Linking Tales reminds us that identity is not built in isolation. The artwork stands as a metaphor for our interwoven lives, shaped by diverse cultures, mutual respect, and a willingness to both listen and be heard.Because it's not only a skill to read someone else's story — it's equally vital to tell your own. Image: Rendering of the 2025 Ringturm wrapping titled 'Verbindende Geschichten' (Linking Tales) by Polish artist Marcin Maciejowski. The Ringturm is transformed into a towering bookshelf, symbolizing shared narratives and cultural exchange between Austria and Poland. Photo: © Hertha Hurnaus/Rendering: Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein |