Art&Idea implements creative projects at the interface between art, business and the public sector. Robert Punkenhofer, founder of Art&Idea, is a curator, creative consultant and entrepreneur. Together with a diverse partner network, he preferably realizes challenging and inspiring projects in the fields of art, architecture, design and fashion in unusual settings.

VALUES: What Drives Us

MILESTONES

We are proud to look back on more than 25 years of inspiring exhibitions, special projects and publications, which we were able to implement with our highly committed teams and partner institutions for customers on three continents. And we are looking forward to many more creative ventures with you in the near future.

1995
Founding of Art&Idea
Opening of an exhibition space in the historic center of Mexico City
Organization of an international series of exhibitions with artists such as Javier Téllez, Santiago Sierra, Paul McCarthy, Hannah Wilke, Joep van Lieshout, Maurizio Cattelan, Damián Ortega and Teresa Margolles

1998
Presentation of special projects at art fairs such as Arco Madrid, SCOPE Miami Beach, New York and London

1999
Exhibition cooperation with Art in General in New York with artists such as Minerva Cuevas, Franklin Sirmans and Alex Ku

2000
Opening of an art space in New York with exhibitions by artists such as Emiko Kasahara, Maria Serebriakova and Pablo Vargas Lugo

2002
Development of a program of special editions for the German weekly newspaper Die Zeit with artists such as Do-Ho Suh, Kara Walker and Marko Lehanka

2003
Idea and artistic direction for “Mur Island – Graz European Capital of Culture,” selection of the New York architect Vito Acconci for design and architecture

2004
Exhibition cooperation with Raid Projects in Los Angeles
Publication of the book Building an Island in Hatje Cantz Verlag

2005
Development and artistic direction of the Vienna Art Week
Project management of the Austrian contribution to the World Expo in Aichi, Japan on behalf of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO)
Publication of a comprehensive catalogue and art edition for the 10th anniversary of Art&Idea

2006
Concept/organization of “EU-LAC Business Summit – Bridging the Two Worlds through Business and Culture” on behalf of the WKO
Opening of a temporary Art&Idea gallery in New York with the first US individual presentations by Javier Hinojosa, Alex Dorfsman and Paulina Lasa

2008
Project management of the Austrian contribution to the World Expo in Zaragoza
Conception and organization of “Flow – Festival of Conversation for Culture and Science” in Novi Sad, Serbia on behalf of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

2009
Exhibition cooperation with Apex Art New York, A Way Beyond Fashion, with works by Hussein Chalayan, Rudi Gernreich and Orta + Orta, among others

2010
Project management for the World Expo Shanghai (up to and including building contract)
“World of Ideas” Symposium with Paul Brickhill, Gerald Nestler, Sebastian Olma and others
Publication of the book A Way Beyond Creative Industries by Folio Verlag
Milan – Fuorisalone Fair – Fabrica Bugatti – curation/organization of the design exhibition Surprising Ingenuity on behalf of Außenwirtschaft Austria

2012
ADI-FAD Design Center Barcelona: Curation, organization of the exhibition Austrian Design Visions

2014
Goethe-Institut Barcelona: Curation of the opening exhibition Goethe Diálogos with works by Jenny Holzer, Joseph Kosuth, John Bock, Bruce Nauman, Tony Oursler, Harun Faroki, Hans Peter Feldmann, Hanne Darboven and others

2015
Triennale Museum Milan: Curation of the exhibition Austria Design Explosion

2016
Relaunch of Carl Suchy & Söhne, former Imperial and Royal Purveyor to the Court and most important watch manufacturer of the Danube Monarchy

2019
Complete organization of the Vienna Art Week in addition to artistic management, including a gentle relaunch of the festival

2020
Repositioning of the Vienna Art Week as a portal to the Viennese art world throughout the year

The list of all projects can be found here