2 May 2019

Arts & crafts exhibition tip by Fashion.at's Karin Sawetz: 'Crafty Hands' at Schallaburg Castle, Lower Austria

Arts & crafts never come out of fashion! Even when the beginnings of special techniques such as signature Viennese 'Petit Point' embroideries or the typical blueprint or blue-dyeing (since 2018 part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list) date back hundreds of years. Both techniques are shown with exemplary artefacts at the exhibition 'Crafty Hands' (in German 'Der Hände Werk') where the work of craftspeople is traced back in history and forth to nowadays via objects like new craft tools such as the 3D-printer.

The fields of presented crafts are diverse; one special focus concerns the production of textiles. Unfortunately, it was not allowed to take pictures from inside the exhibition. Several rooms - such as the room about blueprint-dyeing, or the space with an impressive handloom surrounded by fabrics produced for Austrian landmarks like Schönbrunn Palace - are designed almost like theatrical sceneries with dramatic light stagings.

The 'Petit Point' embroideries are showcased not so spectacular; in a glass vitrine, several pieces such as purses are displayed. But the story behind or better the history around makes this part of the exhibition so interesting. The Petit Point stitching technique is strongly connected with Empress Maria Theresia (lived from 1717 until 1780) who is cited with the saying "They who embroider do not sin". The culture of typical Viennese Petit Point embroideries dates back to times of Maria Theresia who set with her personal craft preference a new handicraft trend. Even hand-work by the empress herself is on view.

Additional tip: When visiting the exhibition 'Crafty Hands', collect the DIY instructions (in German and English) for handmade creations. At the last room of the tour, visitors will find materials to bind the single pages together like a book. Don't expect to find the DIY instructions online!

fig.: Snapshot from the entrance of the exhibition 'Crafty Hands' (on view until 3 November 2019) at Schallaburg Castle. The castle originates from the 11th century and was extended and adapted through hundreds of year. Photo captured on 1 May 2019.

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