℅ Vienna is a creative outlet for Vienna’s artistic and intellectual minds—a platform where their ideas, projects, and stories in art, fashion, life, and science come to life. Whether they are artistic, bold, beautiful, bizarre, famous, or simply everyday people, their voices deserve to be heard. “A very important magazine about very important people,” as the publication states. Each issue explores a fresh theme, featuring interviews, reviews, and captivating stories about Vienna’s most charismatic figures, places, and projects.
The latest edition, The Animal Issue No. 7, dives deep into the fascinating world of animals, examining their roles and representations across culture, art, and society. This 230-page bilingual edition, published in 2024 in both German and English, offers a rich tapestry of stories and thought-provoking interviews.
The texts in the Animal Issue No. 7 explore the idea of animal communication and intelligence, questioning how humans appear from an animal’s perspective and how our actions compare to their wisdom.
The issue explores the concept of animal communication and intelligence, challenging readers to consider how humans appear from an animal’s perspective and how our actions compare to their wisdom. One of the standout features is an exploration of the Earth Species Project, a groundbreaking initiative using AI to decode animal languages—an endeavor as revolutionary as the telescope was to our understanding of the cosmos. Throughout its pages, The Animal Issue questions human-centric views and reminds us that we are merely one part of Earth’s vast biosphere.
Editor-in-chief Antje Salvi dedicates this issue to all animals — especially those that have been part of their family, shaped their lives, and left an enduring mark. Their presence lingers, even after decades. “They are more, they live among us, and they have been on this planet longer than we have. Brothers and sisters in blood, your worlds brush ours from time to time, while we do unspeakably cruel things to you. How might we humans look to you, what do you say to us, and how wise are you compared to our arrogant, foolish actions?” Salvi reflects in the magazine’s preamble.
Paper brings the Animal Issue to life!
A magazine as unique as this one deserves a tactile experience to match. That’s why The Animal Issue No. 7 is printed on Garda Matt Rough, a premium pigmented paper known for its naturally textured, rough surface — perfect for high-quality book printing. The cover, adorned with a partial relief varnish on IQ Offset 250 g/m², complements the core, printed on Garda Matt Rough 120 g/m², which was developed in close collaboration with publishers to ensure superior image reproduction and an exceptional reading experience. The issue was also published as both a normal and a special edition, with the latter including a multicolored faux-fur on the spine and some surprise insertions within the publication.
“Cat fur, pigeon feathers, snakeskin… The surface of the paper is like nature: rough, almost as if you could feel the wildness and texture of the animal,” says Salvi on the decision to use Garda Matt Rough. “On the 230 pages of this issue, we quite literally see through the eyes of animals. Our wildest issue—and paper—yet!”
℅ Vienna Magazine’s Animal Issue #7 is full of intriguing highlights and exclusive content
The Animal Issue No. 7 is packed with compelling content, offering fresh perspectives and exclusive insights. The edition ventures into the worlds of various animals — cats, pigeons, tigers, frogs, and more — celebrating their unique traits, mystique, and the emotions they evoke, whether they have fur, hooves, horns, wings, or scales. It also highlights artistic interpretations of animals through the works of Anna Jermolaewa, Mike Kelley, Maria Lassnig, and Birgit Jürgenssen, showcasing their influence in different artistic mediums.
Readers can look forward to thought-provoking conversations with renowned personalities such as photographer Juergen Teller and musician Nick Cave, who share their views on animals and their significance in both art and life. The issue also features intriguing narratives on topics like the “Internet of Animals,” the Furry subculture, the life of an elderly cat named Mausinio, the tradition of Viennese Fiaker carriage horses, and the fascinating stories of famous pigeons, blending contemporary issues with cultural reflections.
Secure your copy now: THE ANIMAL ISSUE NO. 7 – New! | C/O VIENNA.
Images © Rahel Schneider