11 Lina Ghotmeh, Architect & Humanist
(9) Shaping the design language of tomorrow with the complex simplicity of her work. Lina Ghotmeh now in a CALL interview (in German).
12 Sister Lucy Kurien, Maher founder
(7) Provides a home for the poorest of the poor with its 65 homes in India. An angel for the poor.
13 Florentina Holzinger, Artist
(NEW) Breaks new ground with radical art between photography and performance.
14 Sheikha Al-Mayassa, Chairperson, Qatar Museum
(NEW) One of the most influential promoters of the global art scene. Sets new standards.
15 Taylor Swift, Singer
(2) Breaks all music records, gives young girls new self-confidence.
16 Holly Herndon, AI artist
(17) The pioneer of AI art is thrilling the art world with a phenomenal installation at London’s Serpentine Galleries. The Call, a collaboration with Mat Dryhurst and Serpentine Arts Technologies, proposes new cultural, legal, and technical rituals for art in the age of AI. The focus is on creating choir AI models. To train the AI, hymn books, vocal exercises, and a recording protocol were compiled, and fifteen choirs in the UK were recorded. The work offers a new insight into the networked and collective nature of human creativity in the 21st century. Visionary.
17 Peter Sloterdijk, Philosopher
(NEW) Causes a sensation with his lectures at the Collège de France in Paris. Influential.
18 Marina Abramović, Artist
(15) Her performances are spectacular, and her conceptual art can be found in the world’s most important museums. The Albertina Modern in Vienna is showing the first major Marina Abramović retrospective in Vienna until March 2026. In China, her first museum exhibition, “Transforming Energy,” recently ran at MAM Shanghai. The exhibition was inspired by one of Abramović’s iconic performances: her hike across the Great Wall of China with German artist Ulay in 1988. The grande dame of art continues to inspire the world with her work, now more than ever.
19 Refik Anadol, AI & New Media artist
(6) Creates immersive visual worlds from billions of bytes of data. Spectacular.
20 Hito Steyerl, Artist
(78) Enthusiastic reception at the Fondazione Prada in Milan with “The Island.” Simply powerful.
21 Yuval Harari, Author
(16) The Israeli historian and bestselling author has become a valuable voice in the madness of the world, the analytical mind of our time. Barack Obama called him a source of inspiration, Emmanuel Macron met him to exchange ideas, Bill Gates is enthralled by his books. A man who gives hope. In times like these, that is more important than ever.
22 Hector Esrawe, Designer & Architect
(29) Designs iconic objects and furniture. Combines tradition and innovation. Magnificent.
23 Helmut Lang, Fashion designer
(NEW) Shaped the fashion of the 1990s. The MAK Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna honors his work in a retrospective.
24 Georg Baselitz, Artist
(33) Designed the set for Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” in Salzburg. Powerful.
25 Emmanuelle Charpentier, Nobel Prize Laureate
(3) She made the most groundbreaking discovery in medical history, one that could completely change and prolong our lives, but also enable the treatment of diseases that had previously been untreatable. French geneticist and microbiologist Emmanuelle Charpentier developed the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool, which can be used to switch genes on and off. This revolutionary technology earned her the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Charpentier conducted research in Vienna for seven years, but the scientist was allowed to leave. This is Charpentier’s ninth appearance on the annual CALL 100 list. Watch the video: Nobel Prize laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier on CALL.
26 Anja Ringgren Lovén, Development aid worker
(36) Founded “Land of Hope” in Nigeria to rescue “witch children.” Angel of the outcasts..
27 Pharrell Williams, Singer & Designer
(1) Produces hits one after another and is changing the fashion world as creative director for Louis Vuitton.
28 Koo Jeong-A, Artist
(71) Showing installations at the Leeum Museum Korea and the Kunsthaus Bregenz in 2026.
29 Gerhard Richter, Artist
(30) The Gerhard Richter Archive in Dresden is showing artworks that no one has ever seen before. Exciting.
30 Pamela Anderson, Actress
(14) She was considered a “sex symbol” of the 1990s—an image she carefully cultivated—starred in “Baywatch,” and regularly made headlines. But she didn’t find her true calling until she was over 50. Pamela Anderson is an animal rights activist, lives a vegan lifestyle, and at some point stopped wearing makeup. As a role model and “icon of naturalness,” she has since been celebrated by women around the globe. With The Last Showgirl, Pamela Anderson made a spectacular comeback alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. In the 2025 remake of The Naked Gun, she made us all laugh alongside Liam Neeson and showed off her comedic streak. A strong woman who has arrived.
31 Eva Helene Pade, Artist
(NEW) Deals with the complexity of human relationships in her work.
32 Banksy, Street Artist
(34) Faceless ambassador of peace, phantom of serious lightness.
33 Chris Hadfield, Astronaut
(Re-Entry) Bring us closer to space – and the meaning of life – with A Journey Into The Cosmos.
34 Nipun Mehta, ServiceSpace founder
(26) Silicon Valley’s social impact star is developing “heart intelligence” as a counterpoint to AI. Fantastic. Read the CALL interview with Nippon Mehta.
35 Jonathan Tetelman, Tenor
(8) The most significant tenor of our time returns to Salzburg in 2026 with “Carmen.”
36 Han Kang, Author
(NEW) One of South Korea’s most important literary voices, touching readers worldwide.
37 Bianca Li, Choreographer & Director
(NEW) Pioneer of hybrid art forms combining dance, film, and immersive formats..
38 Sofia Coppola, Director
(53) Portrayed her boyfriend, fashion designer Marc Jacobs, in “Marc by Sofia.” Very personal.
39 Melinda French Gates, Philanthropist
(Re-Entry) Global voice advocating for women and health. Great benefactor.
40 Asmik Grigorian, Opera singer
(Re-Entry) She dazzled with her solo “A Diva is Born” at the Vienna State Opera. Magnificent.
41 Miuccia Prada, Art Patron
(83) Built bridges between the global fashion and art worlds. Owns a huge art collection.
42 Albert Watson, Photographer
(NEW) He has shaped the art of photography in recent decades, and his work is now a TASCHEN book.
43 Erwin Wurm, Artist
(NEW) The Imperial Villa in Bad Ischl exhibited important series of his work. His latest works are now on display at Thaddaeus Ropac in Paris. Phenomenal.
44 Salman Rushdie, Writer
(58) One of the most important voices in postcolonial literature. Coming to Austrian Waldviertel in 2026.
45 Richard Branson, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist
(60) Turned Virgin into a global corporation, advocates for peace and humanitarian projects.
46 Otto Scharmer, Innovation researcher
(57) Infects creative minds with his “Theory U” for designing new things. Inspiring.
47 Richard Ladkani, Director
(NEW) On his way to an Oscar nomination with the documentary “Yanuni.” Film activist.
48 Xiye Bastida, Climate activist
(NEW) Co-founder of the Re-Earth Initiative, speaks at the UN and at climate conferences.
49 Jeremy Allen White, Actor
(NEW) Considered an Oscar nominee for his role as Bruce Springsteen in “Deliver Me From Nowhere.”
50 Björk, Singer
(NEW) Presented “Cornucopia” concert film, an immersive experience. Impressive.
51 Meryl Streep, Actress
(23) Returns to the screen as Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada 2.
52 J. B. Pritzker, Governor of Illinois
(NEW) Opposes human rights violations and ICE. Fights for justice.
53 Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor
(Re-Entry) Plays the role of his life in “One Battle After Another.” Powerful performance.
54 Pipilotti Rist, Artist
(Re-Entry) Transforms video art into an immersive emotional language. Groundbreaking.
55 Jonathan Anderson, Designer
(NEW) Celebrated a spectacular debut as Dior designer at Paris Fashion Week.
56 Anna Viebrock, Stage Designer
(NEW) Will showcase her signature style at the Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation in Vienna.
57 Ed Sheeran, Singer/songwriter
(Re-Entry) Most important songwriter of his generation, has sold 150 million records.
58 Jennifer Aniston, Actress
(NEW) Provides real insights into the media world with “The Morning Show.” Creepy.
59 Kate Crawford, Publicist & Composer
(NEW) Leading authority on AI—and critic of it. Teaches at USC in L.A.
60 Timothée Chalamet, Actor
(NEW) Enthralled audiences after Bob Dylan biopic with “Marty Supreme.” Huge talent.
61 Cao Fei, Media artist
(75) First exhibited her art at Munich’s Lembachhaus, a Chinese global star without airs and graces.
62 Mel Robbins, Author and podcast host
(NEW) Explains how to be happy and follow your path with “The Let Them Theory.”
63 Amal Clooney, Lawyer
(79) Rescues political prisoners with the Clooney Foundation. Never backs down.
64 Hans Ulrich Obrist, Director, Serpentine Galleries
(67) One of the world’s leading curators, he turned the Serpentine into an iconic museum.
65 Amoako Boafo, Artist
(65) Exhibited his iconic works at Vienna’s Belvedere, the largest solo exhibition to date.
66 Renzo Rosso, Diesel founder
(Re-Entry) The founder of Diesel created a fashion empire with OTB, including brands such as Maison Margiela and Jil Sander. A visionary in the fashion world.
67 C. Ngozi Adichie, Writer
(77) Created a feminist manifesto, encouraging young women to seek emancipation.
68 Thaddaeus Ropac, Gallery owner
(81) Represents some of the world’s greatest artists. Opened a new gallery in Milan.
69 David Hockney, Artist
(NEW) His Fondation Louis Vuitton show was a triumph, attracting 900,000 visitors. What a sir.
70 Elton John, Singer & Composer
(73) Campaigned for the fight against AIDS. Now fighting for his own eyesight.
71 Hannah Ritchie, Data scientist
(51) Provides guidance for the future with her book Not The End Of the World.
72 Maja Hoffmann, Art collector
(92) Founded the Swiss Luma Foundation and commissioned Frank Gehry to build LUMA Arles.
73 Stefan Sagmeister, Designer
(62) Proved with his book “Heute ist besser” (Today is better) that we have never done so well.
74 Julia Ebner, Scientist
(74) Researches at Oxford University whether dictators and suicide bombers think alike.
75 Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Collector
(NEW) Promotes young art throughout Europe, shapes the art scene.
76 Suleika Jaouad, Writer
(NEW) Has suffered from leukemia since her youth, gives hope to millions with her books.
77 Katharina Zweig, Computer scientist
(NEW) Advocates for ethical algorithms in the field of AI, wants to make AI more understandable.
78 Deepak Chopra, Inspirational Leader
(31) Developed an AI twin designed to impart wisdom. Becomes a digital leader.
79 Michael J. Fox, Actor
(4) Fights heroically against Parkinson’s disease and became a role model for millions of people with the condition.
80 Stephen Colbert, TV host
(NEW) Retires in 2026 (not voluntarily), considered America’s moral conscience. He says what many people think.
81 Steven Pinker, Harvard professor
(100) Explains the future to us in an understandable way. Bill Gates‘ favorite author and scientist.
82 Valie Export, Artist
(94) The Ropac Gallery in Milan is exhibiting her works in dialogue with Ketty La Rocca. Two pioneers.
83 Billy Bob Thornton, Actor
(NEW) Delivers a streaming hit with Landman, showing us the dark side of life.
84 Anna Kulachek, Designer
(NEW) Brings emotional intelligence to design, changing visual thinking.
85 Theaster Gates, Conceptual artist
(93) Founded The Land School in Chicago, aims to create cultural projects with public value.
86 Markus Hinterhäuser, Artistic director of the Salzburg Festival
(37) Plans the next top cultural program for 2026, led by Carmen with Jonathan Tetelman and Asmik Grigorian. 256,600 visitors were thrilled last year (98.4% of tickets sold), attending 174 performances at 16 venues—all in less than two months. A visionary.
87 Oprah Winfrey, Entrepreneur
(84) She is the good soul of America, a media icon, expressing in her programs and projects what others are thinking.
88 Stefan Herheim, Artistic Director, MusikTheater Wien
(87) Made the MusikTheater an der Wien the premier venue for classical music in Vienna. Strong program.
89 Michael Armitage, Painter
(NEW) His works will be shown in a major exhibition at the Palazzo Grassi in Venice in 2026.
90 Pol Taburet, Artist
(NEW) Combines airbrush techniques with traditional painting in his works. Impressive.
91 Anne Hathaway, Actress
(Re-Entry) Returns to the cinema with #51 in The Devil Wears Prada 2. Will be a mega hit.
92 Wael Shawky, Video artist
(NEW) Will become artistic director of Art Basel Qatar in Doha in February 2026.
93 Patti Smith, Singer
(NEW) Speaks openly in her new memoir, Bread of Angels. A legend.
94 Venus Williams, Tennis legend
(NEW) The seven-time Grand Slam tournament winner caused a stir at the US Open.
95 Serena Williams, Tennis legend
(Re-Entry) The 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner is not making a comeback. Remains an icon in retirement.
96 L. Krasznahorkai, Nobel Prize laureate for literature
(NEW) The 71-year-old writes books that read like long thoughts. Cult.
97 Eva LaRue, Actress
(NEW) Revealed stalker drama in TV documentary, gives courage to women in similar situations.
98 Dolly Parton, Singer
(98) Has shaped the US music world for decades and donated millions to medical research.
99 Mat Copson, Artist
(NEW) Created an entire opera as a laser installation in the Kunstwerke in Berlin. Visionary.
100 Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Prize laureate
(Re-Entry) Works worldwide for peace, fights poverty with microloans.
© 2026 PANAREA Studios GmbH, Vienna. All rights reserved.
This CALL 100 2026 list was first published in the print edition of CALL Magazine 06/2026.