The Museum für Gestaltung Zürich looks back on an impressive history. Since its foundation in 1875, it has been essential in promoting and visualising graphics, design, crafts and applied art.
The current exhibition also bears witness to this. In the museum’s large hall, textiles unfold as a means of artistic expression. Whether woven, embroidered, appliquéd or tufted, around 60 items are interwoven in the exhibition Textile Manifests from Bauhaus to Soft Sculpture (Textil Manifeste-von Bauhaus bis soft Sculpture).
It shows anonymous pieces side by side with well-known artists. This creates surprising comparisons and new perspectives from different eras, from Bauhaus to the present.
The exhibits’ soft materials and choice of techniques connect them and create an impressive overall experience. Objects such as carpets, tapestries, and blankets are also encountered as sculptures. Multi-voiced audio commentaries explore individual themes, such as the current flourishing of textile art or the development of fibre art.