The Murinsel is a floating steel island in Graz’s Mur river, designed by New York artist Vito Acconci for the city’s 2003 European Capital of Culture year. Acconci described the shell-like structure as “a vessel opened like a mussel.” It contains a cafe, a 300-seat amphitheater, and a riverside playground, connected to both banks by curved walkways. Intended as temporary, it was made permanent. Together with the Kunsthaus Graz across the river, it forms Graz’s pair of 21st-century landmarks inserted into a Baroque UNESCO World Heritage city. Free to walk through; cafe on site. Tram to Hauptbrucke, 2-minute walk.
public art in Graz
Murinsel
A floating steel island in the Mur river, designed by Vito Acconci for Graz 2003 Cultural Capital. The shell-like structure contains a cafe, an amphitheater, and a playground. Connected to both riverbanks by walkways. The Murinsel is more sculpture than building and is best appreciated from the Kunsthaus or the Hauptbruecke.
- Type
- public art
- Destination
- Graz
- Cost
- Paid entry
- Founded
- 2003
- Era
- Contemporary
- Address
- Lendkai 19, 8020 Graz
- Coordinates
- 47.0732, 15.4346
- Official website
- Visit website