I was in Linz to attend the ARS Electronica Gala and after the event we crossed the Danube River to the ARS Electronica (Art and Technology) Museum to have some celebratory drinks at a place called Strom, which I loved. As we walked inside, experimental noise music streamed out of the loudspeakers which ran along the top of the building below a long row of solar panels.

Everyone dining at Strom seemed to have a silent dress code agreement of black and white.

I was enchanted by the myriad of plants growing all around the ceiling. It gave the place a healthy freshness. There is so much art and graffiti gracing the walls of the place which seemed to go on forever inside.

The playful atmosphere is enhanced with a foosball table and there’s even a swing inside one of the bathroom stalls. We sat outside and I ordered a couple spinach and goat cheese samosas; greasy but tasty, but greasy.

I was happy to find that their ketchup was not Heinz, but another brand which was BIO, german for organic. There is a real feeling of quality food in Austria and I think Europe in general. 

We stayed there all day and into the night talking to different people. I had a great conversation with a guy who built an impressive digital art installation at the Vienna Airport and another with our project manager at ARS who is doing our app for the 4 Aces our interactive art project in Vienna. After chatting with a few more new acquaintances I hung out with the rest of our crew on the big steps across from the museum, drinking gin late into the night. 

And they had a most spectacular fireworks display.

To be continued…