© Gustav Peichl, VBK Wien

© Gustav Peichl, VBK Wien

© © Christian Redtenbacher

© Christian Redtenbacher

© Christian Redtenbacher

© Christian Redtenbacher

© Christian Redtenbacher

© Christian Redtenbacher

Architecture

Based on the plans of the architect and caricaturist Gustav Peichl/IRONIMUS, the Caricature Museum Krems was built between 2000 and 2001 at Kunstmeile Krems (Art Mile Krems). Austria’s only building to dedicate 780 m² to caricatures, cartoons, comics and satirical art is also fully wheelchair accessible. 

Mr. and Mrs. Austria

Brace yourselves for humour, jokes and satire before you even set foot in the museum. Two of Manfred Deix’ famous figures, Mr. and Mrs. Austria, greet you with big smiles in the forecourt.

Structure of the building

The three-story building on Krems' art mile, opposite the Kunsthalle Krems (Art Hall Krems), was designed for use as a caricature museum. On the ground floor, there are exhibition rooms on both sides of the foyer: The IRONIMUS Cabinet - an exhibition space devoted to political caricature and an exhibition hall in which the Manfred Deix exhibition will be showcased.

The large museum shop can be visited in the foyer, whilst the glazed opening in the ceiling of the foyer expands the room and creates an optical reference to the upper floor.

Located at the front end of the foyer, the circular staircase leads to the first floor, which is equipped with a daylight ceiling that features a folding roof construction. This is where the exhibition halls for the temporary exhibitions are located, as well as the art education rooms and the offices. In 2003, the upper floor was used to connect to an additional exhibition space in the adjoining former Eybl building.

A continuous staircase located in a corner to the left of the entrance, as well as a lift, connect the lower floor (house technology, toilets and cloakroom), which is situated below street level, with the other two floors of the house.

The exterior appearance of the original architecture is characterized by a striking roof construction, which refers to the roof landscape of the old buildings in Krems-Stein. Two of Manfred Deix’ figures welcome visitors in the forecourt, whilst the glass front on the ground floor of the house creates openness and transparency. The talking façade, meanwhile, signals the content of the house: wit, humour and satire.

Built in the years 2000 and 2001, this small, but special museum enjoys much popularity thanks to its delightful content and original architecture. It attracts thousands of visitors to Krems every year, the city to the gateway to the Wachau region.

Ground floor

The ground floor’s central hall showcases temporary exhibitions, whilst the IRONIMUS-cabinet, which lies opposite, concerns itself with political caricatures.

Upper floor

The foyer’s glass ceiling visually connects the lower and upper floor, the latter of which can be reached via a spiral staircase, a stairwell or elevator. The partially glazed folding roof construction is a reference to Krems-Stein’s historical buildings and creates a friendly, light space on the upper floor. This is where a showroom showcasing a permanent exhibition of Manfred Deix’ work is located. An additional showroom was added on the upper floor in 2003, the present-day art center.  

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© Gustav Peichl, VBK Wien
© © Christian Redtenbacher
© Christian Redtenbacher
© Christian Redtenbacher