Market of the Future - MDZ 

The Market of the Future 2026 is part of the closing programme of the annual exhibition “30% Dandelion. BLOOM” at Kunsthaus Graz. Under the title (R)ESISTERE, the festival creates an interdisciplinary space for exchange and the development of sustainable and solidarity-based perspectives, bringing together artists, experts and more than 40 initiatives.

Spanning five thematic areas, the market unfolds throughout the building as a performative and informative festival. At various locations across the city, hosts invite visitors to talks and presentations. At Space 04, the entire festival is accompanied by the Diasporic Future Kitchen programme, while the Needle houses a forum for cultural funding — open to anyone interested in receiving advice from official institutions.

The artistic programme for the closing event includes exhibition tours, conversations with artists and workshops, performances, discussions, concerts and workshops, featuring contributions by, among others, Avin Ahmadi, Helene Glüxam, Aldo Giannotti, Jakob Glasner, HAEZZ, Markus Jeschaunig, Špela Petrič, Oliver Ressler and Winfried Ritsch.

13:00 — Opening ceremony

With Andreja Hribernik (Director of Kunsthaus Graz), Wolfgang Schlag (MDZ) and Judith Schwentner (Deputy Mayor of the City of Graz).

Programme highlights

Winfried Ritsch: Power Flower Bells – Build Your Own Robotic Flowers

Workshop | Space 03 | 15:00–17:00

Build robotic flowers, connect them to one another and make them ring together: Winfried Ritsch invites participants to experience machines as social actors.

Part of the exhibition “Blume persönlich. Von Mythen, Symbolen, Duft und Liebe” (Flowers, Personally: On Myths, Symbols, Fragrance and Love), 1 May 2026 – 31 October 2027, Schloss Trautenfels. In cooperation with Ortweinschule Graz and the Institute of Electronic Music and Acoustics (IEM).

Markus Jeschaunig: Expanded Garden

Artist talk / workshop conversation | Roof of Kunsthaus Graz (Needle) | 14:00–16:00

How can a planted rooftop terrace withstand the heat while also providing cooling? Markus Jeschaunig discusses his experimental climate system made from plants, water and wood.

Part of the exhibition “30% Dandelion”, in cooperation with Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), the Botanical Garden of the University of Graz and HTBLVA Graz. Prototype project, 2026–2028.

Aldo Giannotti: Forms of Resistance, 2026

Illustrated instructions for action | Basement level, corridor, route to the Needle and postcard

Through humorous and absurd instructions, Aldo Giannotti invites visitors to question behavioural rules, experiment with resistance and become part of the exhibition themselves.

As part of (r)esistere, Giannotti has also designed the central visual identity for the Market of the Future 2026.

Jakob Glasner: OMNICAR – The Car That Only Starts When Three People Are Riding in It

Artist talk / workshop conversation | Foyer | 14:00–17:00

How can a car contribute to resource-efficient mobility? Jakob Glasner presents his concept for subversive carpooling and offers advice to future “vibe hackers”.

Winner of the Environmental Art Prize 2026. In and around Kunsthaus Graz, 4–30 November 2026. Supported by SERVUS Abfall.

Špela Petrič: Pickled Rejects – Exercise for Non-Normative Fruit

Diasporic Future Kitchen | Space 04

Using cucumbers rejected by the food industry, Špela Petrič creates a sculpture of resistance. Presented as gifts for Kunsthaus supporters, her Pickled Rejects combine appreciation for art with a sense of responsibility towards things that have been discarded.

As part of PSX Consultancy, Petrič is also presenting “Couples Counselling for Plants” in the exhibition “Blümchensex” at the Natural History Museum in Graz, on view until 12 September 2027.

There is also an open programme for children!

Flower Whirl

Space 03 | 13:00–15:00

Together with the Kunsthaus education team, children will discover the transformative power of flowers, create unusual arrangements and bring a colourful sea of flowers to life.