“Goliath” they call him, the imposing figure greeting us inside the Bundesamtsgebäude Radetzkystraße. This modern government building, sometimes nicknamed the “Oktogon” for its unique eight-sided shape, might seem an unlikely place for such a dramatic sculpture. Yet, here stands Goliath, a testament to the artistic treasures woven into the fabric of Vienna. Constructed between 1981 and 1986, the Bundesamtsgebäude Radetzkystraße is far younger than many Viennese landmarks. However, it houses a piece of history within its walls: casts of works by the renowned Austrian sculptor Anton Hanak. Goliath, standing guard in the entrance hall, is perhaps the most striking of them all. Outside, along Vordere Zollamtsstraße, another artistic representation catches the eye. “Flammenden Fahnen” by Gero Schwanberg, symbolizing Austria’s nine federal states, adds a splash of color to the Bundesamtsgebäude’s facade. These sculptures are a reminder that even in the heart of government, art finds its place, enriching our experience and sparking conversations that echo through the halls of power.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to