In Vienna’s Ottakring district, a former gas station has been reborn as a vibrant hub for contemporary art. This is Kunsttankstelle Ottakring – a place that not only hosts exhibitions, performances, and experimental works, but also stands as a symbol of transformation, creativity, and community in the heart of the city.

Founded by brothers Roland and Richard Schütz in 2007, Kunsttankstelle Ottakring began as a tribute to the neighborhood’s complex history and has since evolved into a year-round artist-run space. Roland, a painter and animator who studied under Maria Lassnig, and Richard, a designer and sculptor trained by Matteo Thun, have long been active in Ottakring’s cultural scene. Their vision turned this former petrol station into a living gallery. Together, they run the space as part of the MASC Foundation, blending their artistic practices with curatorial work. What started as a temporary project is now a permanent symbol of independent creativity in the heart of Vienna’s 16th district.