22 February 2020

MAK Museum of Applied Arts Vienna throws light on 'Women Artists of the Wiener Werkstätte' at upcoming exhibition (27 May until 20 September 2020) 21 April 5 May - 3 October 2021

Annotation on 17 April 2021: The new exhibition dates are 5 May to 3 October 2021.

Annotation on 8 April 2021: The new exhibition dates are 21 April to 3 October 2021.

Annotation on 30 April 2020: Exhibition postponed to 2021.

Men of the Wiener Werkstätte, the famous creative workshop in Vienna of the early 20th century, are widely known and received two years ago special homage such as by Austrian fashion designer Arthur Arbesser who created an own tribute collection (article). Now, the work of women of the Wiener Werkstätte and their impact on Viennese arts and crafts, design in general as well as fashion design is theme at the upcoming exhibition 'Women Artists of the Wiener Werkstätte' from 27 May until 20 September 2020 21 April 5 May to 3 October 2021 at the MAK Museum of Applied Arts. The research by the MAK team around Anne-Katrin Rossberg, Curator of the MAK Metal Collection and Wiener Werkstätte Archive, and Guest Curator Elisabeth Schmuttermeier found treasures of women's work - over 600 800 exhibits from 1900 until 1930 - by following historical traces concerning social circumstances such as education offers or working conditions. Around 180 women worked as employees for the Wiener Werkstätte; the works of around 100 women will be exhibited.

"The accomplishments of the male artists of the Wiener Werkstätte (WW, 1903–1932)—principally Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser, and Dagobert Peche—enjoy global fame. In contrast, the women artists of the WW have met with only sporadic interest to date. Gudrun Baudisch, Vally Wieselthier, and Mathilde Flögl are well known. But who were Martha Alber, Karoline Fink, and Paula Lustig?" is stated at the press release. Currently, the research is ongoing. At mak.at, users are called to contribute their knowledge about women artists of the Wiener Werkstätte.

Most of the women presented at the exhibition studied at the Vienna School of Arts and Crafts, today the University of Applied Arts. The researchers list the fields where the women were trained and when they officially got access to architecture or sculpture classes. For the creation of the Gesamtkunstwerk, women were also included into the collaboration with producers such as fabric patterns by Else Unger, executed by Joh. Backhausen & Söhne.

The exhibition will show the various fields of the Wiener Werkstätte and introduces into the workshop's history such as the opening of the fabrics department 1910 or the fashion department in 1911.

Image: Tote bag of the Wiener Werkstätte using the pattern "Curzola" by Mathilde Flögl, 1924/25 © MAK.