Jump to navigation Jump to content Jump to contact Jump to search Jump to search Jump to footer

Oliver Laric. Liminal Beings

until 15 February 2026
A minimalist, semi-transparent sculpture resembling the upper body of a human figure. The surface is smooth, featuring subtle contours that suggest form without detailed anatomical features. The background is a solid gray, emphasizing the simplicity and elegance of the sculpture.

This solo exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, dedicated to the Austrian artist Oliver Laric (born 1981 in Innsbruck), explores the dynamic interplay between original, reproduction, and transformation. Laric engages in a direct dialogue with works from the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, which serve as the starting point for new works.

His sculptures invite visitors to see the museum not only as a place of preservation but also as a space for constant re-encounters with the past.

Address

Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Hochparterre
Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna
Google Maps

Opening times

Open Daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thu, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

further visit information

Mysterious beings

Laric’s works begin with a digital 3D scan of historical sculptures, which he then translates into new, hybrid forms. The exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum focuses on hybrid beings – creatures that combine characteristics from different biological or symbolic categories. They are among the oldest and most widespread motifs in the mythology, art, and religion of many cultures. As symbols of the mysterious they serve as projections of human desires, longings, and fears.

A marble statue of David stands prominently in a grand museum setting, surrounded by classical architecture. The flooring features intricate geometric patterns. Flanking the statue are relief sculptures on the walls, enhancing the artistic ambiance of the space.
Exhibition view. Photo © KHM-Museumsverband, Tom Ritter
The image depicts a museum interior featuring various sculptures and busts made of marble and stone. Prominent pieces include a classical figure, a winged sphinx, and multiple standing sculptures set among tall, elegant columns and ornate decor, showcasing historical art in a sophisticated setting.
Exhibition view. Photo © KHM-Museumsverband, Tom Ritter
A person stands next to a marble bust displayed on a pedestal in a museum. The bust depicts a head and shoulders, showcasing intricate details. The room features large windows and is adorned with decorative elements. The floor has a distinctive patterned design.
Oliver Laric scanning the Four-headed Sphinx
in the Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities.
Photo © KHM-Museumsverband, Daniel Sostaric
A person holds a smartphone displaying a 3D model of a head with a detailed brain structure. The background features a sculpture, suggesting an art or educational setting focused on anatomy or neuroscience.
Detailed view, Oliver Laric scanning the Four-headed Sphinx in the Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities. Photo © KHM-Museumsverband, Daniel Sostaric
The image depicts a gallery with numerous classical busts displayed on tall pedestals. In the center, a unique, transparent sculpture of a figure contrasts with the solid marble busts. The elegant room features intricate flooring and large windows, enhancing the artistic ambiance.
Exhibition view. Photo © KHM-Museumsverband, Tom Ritter

Digital sculptures in dialogue with antiquity

In Liminal Beings, works from the Collection of Classical Antiquities enter into an open dialogue with Laric’s sculptures, which were created especially for this special presentation using 3D printing. These are not only reinterpretations, but also reflections on the process of cultural transmission and the changeability of meanings over time. His works move between antiquity and the present, between the museum context and digital space. At its heart is the artist’s idea that even concepts, images, forms, and myths deeply rooted in cultural identity are never complete, but are constantly undergoing further development and recontextualization.

By using digital technologies to transform and rethink historical artefacts, Laric opens up new perspectives on museum collections and their possible future. Liminal Beings is thus not only an artistic intervention, but also a contribution to the current debate on accessibility, digitisation, and the handling of our cultural heritage.

A stylized white sculpture of a lion with a fierce expression, featuring a detailed head and body. A serpent is intertwined around the lion, adding an element of complexity to the design. The sculpture is illuminated, highlighting its texture and craftsmanship.
Exhibition view. Photo © KHM-Museumsverband, Tom Ritter
A partially transparent sculpture of a figure resembling a classical statue, featuring a decorative headdress and draped garments. The figure's torso appears as a mesh pattern, while the legs are solid, showcasing a blend of traditional and contemporary art styles.
Exhibition view. Photo © KHM-Museumsverband, Tom Ritter

On display are sculptures that refer to the Seated Sphinx with Griffin Head (Roman, 1st–2nd century CE) and the Four-headed Sphinx (Roman, second half of the 2nd century CE) from the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, which has fascinated him since childhood.

In addition, artefacts from the 1st–4th centuries CE from collections in Paris, Crete, Colchester, Seoul, Athens, Torre Annunziata, and Vienna were scanned. The eight newly created works differ from their historical models in terms of material and scale – as translucent resin forms, modular compositions, or seemingly incomplete fragments.

Further exhibitions

Our exhibitions take you back to the rich history of our museum. Here, proven masterpieces meet newly explored themes - a look at art, culture and the past that continuously illuminates the collection.