An octopus in the middle of Vienna? Only a collective of artists could come up with this idea. Together with “Johann Strauss 2025 Vienna”, “God’s Entertainment” has come up with a program for Karlsplatz. The unmissable highlight: a giant, walk-in octopus on the square. More precisely, in the middle of the mirror pond on Karlsplatz, as octopuses are known to swim in water. From August 15 to September 13, this unusual octopus sculpture will become a place of movement during a four-week series of events. We’ll tell you what you can currently experience on Karlsplatz and beyond.
What does the octopus sculpture in Vienna stand for?
The so-called “OCT.opus 25” is part of the big celebratory year “Johann Strauss 2025”. To mark the 200th birthday of the famous composer, Vienna is now hosting weekly premieres from ten artistic genres in keeping with the octopus theme. Fancy a music concert, art exhibition, lecture or performance (“Between Tentacles and Tongue”)? The event series offers a little bit of everything in its program! There are even parties and dance performances (“Krakenwalzer”).
You can walk the octopus sculpture yourself. The art project was opened at the start of the event and is the central theme of the installation. It is inspired by the cultural theorist Donna Haraway, who wants to use the octopus as a symbol of intelligence, touch and connection. The aim is to open up completely new perspectives on the life and work of Johann Strauss. After all, the composer has probably never been associated with octopuses before.
So if you’ve always wanted to experience an octopus from the inside, now is your chance: Until September 13, you can view the installation from Sunday to Thursday from 16:00 to 21:00. Admission is free – and this also applies to all other music and art performances. The venues are not only classic stages and open-air locations in all 23 districts of Vienna, but also more unusual places. The performances and concerts always take place on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 pm.
Why on Karlsplatz of all places?
The fact that the octopus sculpture is in the middle of Karlsplatz is a deliberate choice. This is not because of the water, but because of Johann Strauss: the composer has several stories connected to the square. As a schoolboy, he was expelled from class right there because he had started singing. Many years later, he married his second wife in the neighboring Karlskirche church. So it’s time for his music to return to this place!
The series of events sheds new light on his work and invites you to become active yourself. By “feeling your way and dancing your way”, you can not only get to know new waltz forms, but also consciously engage with the music of Johann Strauss. And this may even include walking through an octopus…