A Place for Research, Art, and Living Knowledge
The Generali Foundation Study Center brings together the libraries, archive, and media collection of the Generali Foundation and the Museum der Moderne Salzburg, creating an open space for in-depth research, focused work, and intensive engagement with modern and contemporary art. It provides access to international art publications, rare source materials, and audiovisual works—a vibrant hub of knowledge that invites researchers, students, art enthusiasts, and visitors alike to discover new perspectives and enriching background information on modern and contemporary art.
A “Living Archive” of Modern and Contemporary Art
As a multifunctional space for research, reading, and contemplation, the Study Center fosters deep engagement with art from the classical modern period to the present. Located in the Rupertinum in Salzburg’s historic old town, it brings together the extensive library, archival, and media holdings of the Generali Foundation and the Museum der Moderne Salzburg. The on-site reference libraries include around 50,000 titles—from monographs and exhibition catalogues to theoretical writings and international journals. These holdings are complemented by rare source materials (rara), artists’ books, and thematic special archives, such as those devoted to Michael Asher, Andrea Fraser, Adrian Piper, or Gordon Matta-Clark.
As a “living archive,” the Study Center connects the collection, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge with research and curatorial practice. Regularly changing thematic presentations showcase materials from the libraries and archives in dialogue with the collections of the Generali Foundation and the Museum der Moderne Salzburg at the Altstadt (Rupertinum) location.
Reading & Media Lounge: Experiencing and Exploring Art
On the third floor of the Rupertinum, the reading and media lounge offers open access to selected and regularly changing materials from the libraries. The seating area—an ensemble of sculptural furniture designed by Franz West together with Marcus Geiger, Peter Kogler, and Heimo Zobernig—invites visitors to sit, read, and explore. West considered his seating sculptures as objects that “only become art once someone sits on them.”
Mediatheque:
At two viewing terminals, visitors can access around 500 film and video works from the Generali Foundation Collection, including works by VALIE EXPORT, Dan Graham, Harun Farocki, Sanja Iveković, Gordon Matta-Clark, Martha Rosler, and many other pioneering artists from the 1960s onward. In addition, recordings of lectures, discussions, and performances from the 1990s to the present are available. The Mediathek focuses on media-reflective film and video art, political film, as well as feminist and performative practices.
Research, Mediation & Services
The Generali Foundation Study Center is located at the Rupertinum in Salzburg’s historic old town and is open to the public. Materials can be consulted on-site, and we are happy to assist with research inquiries.
The online catalogue of the Generali Foundation Collection is directly accessible; a dedicated catalogue for the Museum der Moderne Salzburg is currently in progress. For individual research requests, the Study Center staff are available to help (see contact information on the right).