On the occasion of the 60th edition of Eurovision 2015 in Vienna from 19 to 23 May, the Vienna Tourist Office, stages the Austrian capital via a high-tech work of art: the ViennaSphere. This 360 ° multimedia dome, installed on the Place du Palais Royal, will welcome the general public from March 26 to 28, 2015.

  • Photo: DR

A unique immersive experience: designed by the Viennese collective of avant-garde artists Neon Golden, this dome, equipped with cutting-edge technology, will provide the general public with a multidimensional experience. Each evening, the ViennaSphere will be the scene of a fascinating multimedia show with a splendid fifteen-minute show around the city of Vienna. Real views and 3D images of the Austrian capital will be projected inside and outside the ViennaSphere, which rises to 20 meters high.

The spherical aspect refers to the 150 years of the Ringstrasse, the circular and historic boulevard of Vienna. Indeed, the most beautiful boulevard in the world was inaugurated by Emperor François-Joseph on 1er May 1865. 5,3 kilometers long and 57 meters wide, it is today both a thoroughfare, a tourist attraction, and the scene of major demonstrations and events. "The concept of the Ringstrasse was unprecedented at the time: no city in the world brings together all the country's institutions on a single boulevard" explains Norbert Kettner, director of the Vienna Tourist Office ".  

In Paris, the show will end with a projection of the performance of Conchita Wurst interpreting Rise Like a Phoenix, the song that won him the Eurovision Competition 2014 for Austria. Wednesday, March 25, the singer with beard spokesperson for diversity came in person under the dome to perform two titles, including one from her next album You Are Unstoppable, before an audience of guests and partners led by Michael Häupl the mayor of Vienna, Jean-François Martins deputy mayor of Paris in charge of tourism, and Norbert Kettner the director of the Tourist Office of the Austrian capital.

During the day, visitors can take advantage of these interactive facilities free of charge and tour the Ringstrasse through gigapixel panoramas. Two kiosks equipped with Kinect technology will allow you to walk virtually along this legendary boulevard. This unique experience will also be an opportunity for the general public to discover the tourist attractions of the city of Vienna. Each evening, the Vienna Tourist Office will put into play a trip to be won for 2 people to fly to the Austrian capital for a 3-day getaway (2 nights) from May 22 to 24, 2015 on the occasion of the Eurovision final which the winners can attend. Come every evening from March 26 to 28 at Place du Palais Royal in Paris for a hybrid encounter between technology, art and tourism!

David Raynal

ViennaSphere opening hours:

Day: 12 p.m. - 18 p.m.
Evening: 19:30 p.m. to 23 p.m.
For more information on ViennaSphere: sphere.vienna.info/en
Social networks: #ViennaSphere #WeloveVienna

Ringstrasse:
www.ringstrasse2015.info
www.wien-bild.at

Eurovision 2015 competition

songcontest.wien.info
www.wien-bild.at (click on "Eurovision Song Contest")

Neon Golden Collective
www.neongolden.net