What do textiles and ceramics have in common? HARD/SOFT: Textiles and Ceramics in Contemporary Art on view at the MAK in Vienna.

An intriguing exploration awaits you at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna until May 20, 2024. The group exhibition titled HARD/SOFT: Textiles and Ceramics in Contemporary Art gathers the works of approximately 40 international artists. Here, visitors are invited to discover the materials, shapes, and meanings of the selected works, which reveal a broad spectrum of ambiguity, vagueness, and concurrence that even blur connotations of gender. 

Textiles and ceramics are closely connected to applied art and symbolise community in every culture. Works are often produced collaboratively in ateliers, workshops, and collectives. A diverse range of groups and communities shapes the materials and production processes. In contemporary fine art, textiles and ceramics allow interdisciplinary synergies that cross over into architecture, digital art, music, performance, and dance. 

The curators of the exhibition HARD/SOFT: Textiles and Ceramics in Contemporary Art placed these everyday materials on the centre stage, reflecting social politics and feminist ideas, as well as our cultural and geopolitical landscapes.

Feminism, corporeality, and gender roles

The themes such as feminism, corporeality, and gender roles are explored through the works of artists like Magdalena Abakanowicz (1930–2017), and Sonia Gomes (*1948). Abakanowicz’s sculptural works challenge traditional tapestry designs, while Gomes draws inspiration from Afro-Brazilian narratives to create dynamic sculptures infused with historical significance.

Reconsidering colonial legacies

Textiles offer a platform for examining global trade dynamics and reconsidering colonial legacies. In “Repository” (2020), a wall tapestry by Canadian artist Kapwani Kiwanga (*1978), intricate geometric patterns crafted from fabric in earthy tones are interwoven with glass grains resembling rice. This symbolism recalls the historical transport of rice varieties from Africa to America during the transatlantic slave trade. Similarly, Dutch artist Willem de Rooij (*1969) presents a conceptual piece for this exhibition, merging two Shirvan rugs from distinct cultural origins – one from the MAK Collection and another from Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum. This juxtaposition highlights the interconnectedness of local aesthetic traditions and trade routes, prompting viewers to reflect on the complex narratives of cultural exchange and exploitation intertwined with colonialism.

Textiles and ceramics in everyday objects

Textiles and ceramics play vital roles in everyday objects, both indoors and outdoors. Artists often employ traditional ceramic techniques to produce diverse sculptures, ranging from abstract to figurative forms. For instance, Ranti Bam (*1982) experiments with traditional terracotta vessels, creating impressively sized objects that relate to the dimensions of the human body. Lucie Rie (1902–1995) introduced a modern aesthetic language to ceramics through her keen interest in experimentation, creating formally reduced objects transcending the functional. The ceramic sculptures of Beate Kuhn (1927–2015) frequently draw on nature, while Michèle Pagel (*1985) explores the contradictions of everyday life. A prominent example of art’s critical examination of matriarchal traditions and rituals are the archaic, sculptural ceramic objects of Agnieszka Brzeżańska (*1972).

The exhibition at MAK Vienna charts the progression of artistic techniques, spanning from traditional embroidery to contemporary digital realms. It illustrates how artists consistently push the boundaries of their craft and materials. HARD/SOFT invites viewers to explore the realm of modern and contemporary art through textiles and ceramics, offering insights into the evolving relationship between these materials and high art. 

(Article based on the press release) 

Among the artists shown in this exhibition are: Magdalena Abakanowicz, Hildegard Absalon, El Anatsui, Anna Andreeva, Ranti Bam, Maria Biljan-Bilger, Cosima von Bonin, Geta Brătescu, Agnieszka Brzeżańska, Verena Dengler, Noa Eshkol, Gelatin, Sonia Gomes, Nilbar Güreş, Sheila Hicks, Klára Hosnedlová, Dorota Jurczak, Kapwani Kiwanga, Peter Kogler, Beate Kuhn, Denisa Lehocká, Goshka Macuga, Jonathan Meese, Hana Miletić, Małgorzata Mirga-Tas, Robert Morris, Ann Muller, Ulrike Müller, Michèle Pagel, Lucie Rie, Willem de Rooij, Camila Sposati, Laurence Sturla, Dorothea Tanning, Rosemarie Trockel, Franz Erhard Walther, and Ingrid Wiener.

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HARD/SOFT

The exhibition is on view at the MAK Exhibition Hall, Ground Floor MAK, Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna

bwtween 13.12.2023–20.5.2024.

Curated by Bärbel Vischer, Curator, MAK Contemporary Art Collection, Antje Prisker, Special Projects

more information