Vienna Lido's Old Tennis House Becomes New Art Space

The familiar sound of "Badeschluss, es is vorbei" signals the end of the day at Vienna's Gänsehäufel lido. For photographer Daniel Gebhart de Koekkoek, who has spent many summers here since returning to Vienna, this melancholic Wienerlied tune marks more than just closing time. It also heralds the transformation of a once-familiar building: the old tennis clubhouse.

For years, this building was a casual fixture of the Gänsehäufel's summer microcosm, a place where tennis balls flew while swimmers enjoyed the adjacent pools and attractions. Now, grass grows where the courts once were. Gebhart de Koekkoek, a long-time admirer of the lido, noticed the vacant building and saw potential. He has taken over the 65-square-meter space, located near the west beach cabins, to establish "Foundation Gänsehäufel."

This summer, the foundation will host five artist residencies. Kicking off the program is Felix Schwentner, who will be offering "Latte Art" workshops for visitors. The initiative aims to bring a new creative dimension to the beloved bathing island, turning a space once dedicated to sport into a hub for artistic expression.

Gebhart de Koekkoek, who has been a guest on the lido's long waiting list for a cabin for two decades, is now a tenant, not just a visitor. The transformation of the tennis clubhouse into an art space signifies a new chapter for the Gänsehäufel, blending its traditional summer leisure with contemporary art.