Melbourne to host exclusive Vienna Therapy Installation

An art installation featuring an impressive three-metre tall sculpture of Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, will be brought to Australia for the first time to celebrate the culture of Vienna.

Melbourne is only the second city in the world to secure “Vienna Therapy”, with the free public installation first displayed in New York City in June 2016.

To be held at Melbourne’s Federation Square from March 8 to 12, the installation centres around a three dimensional white sculpture, The Dissection of Sigmund Freud, created by Vienna street artist Nychos.

In partnership with the Vienna Tourist Board, Nychos created the installation to present a modern portrait of Freud’s inner mind, and pays homage to his celebrated work to develop a deeper understanding of the human psyche and our subconsciousness.

The imposing sculpture of a dissected Freud looms over a giant therapy couch for those brave enough to offer themselves up for analysis. Those keen to share their Freudian experience with friends can make use of the gif-booth and upload their moving images to social media using the hashtag #viennatherapy.

Visitors can also have their mind “mapped” via an innovative brainwave sensing headset designed to uncover their subconscious desires. Following the mind-mapping, participants will receive a personalised list of recommendations for exploring Vienna based on their individual likes and dislikes. Each person to have their mind “mapped” will be given the chance to win a bespoke trip to the Austrian capital, carefully tailored to their innermost wishes.

Complimentary Vienna Roast coffee by Boutique Roastery Coffee Basics will also be served daily from 9.30am to 12.00pm, with a choice of Melange (Vienna’s take on a latte) or a Kleiner Schwarzer (single shot of espresso).

 Vienna Tourist Board spokesperson Helena Hartlauer said Melbourne was an obvious choice to host the exhibit given the similarity of the two cities and their residents. “Vienna demonstrates a strong likeness to Melbourne through our thriving contemporary arts and café culture, and we too are consistently praised as being one of the most liveable cities in the world,” Ms Hartlauer said. “We created the Vienna Therapy installation to provide a true Viennese experience and we look forward to showcasing this in the heart of Melbourne.” 

In addition to “Vienna Therapy”, Nychos will conduct workshops in both Melbourne and Sydney as well as paint murals throughout both cities. The Viennese street artist will also unveil a new solo exhibition entitled Monochrome Organism at Juddy Roller Gallery in Fitzroy. The exhibition will run from March 10 to 24, with opening night taking place at the gallery on Friday 10 March from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm (free and open to the public).

 Vienna Therapy will be held at Melbourne’s Federation Square from March 8 to 12, 2017.

 

Opening hours:

Wednesday, 8 March: 8.00am to 8.00pm
Thursday, 9 March: 8.00am to 10.00pm
Friday, 10 March: 8.00am to 10.00pm
Saturday, 11 March: 9.00am to 10.00pm
Sunday, 12 March: 9.00am to 5.00pm

 

Find more information about Vienna Therapy on the official website therapy.vienna.info or on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/777896909030279 and www.facebook.com/ViennaTouristBoard 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/nychos and www.instagram.com/viennatouristboard
Twitter: twitter.com/ViennaInfoB2B

#viennatherapy

Click here to watch a teaser video of Vienna Therapy in Melbourne and the making of video.