Modern color explosion: Experience Meisen-Kimonos in Mak Vienna!

Modern color explosion: Experience Meisen-Kimonos in Mak Vienna!

Stubenring 5, 1010 Wien, Österreich - The Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna will show a fascinating exhibition on Meisen-Kimonos from March 12, 2025, which was made possible by the generous donation of the Danish collector Henriette Friis. The exhibition in the central space of the MAK Design Lab, which runs until August 24, 2025, illuminates the colorful and large-scale patterned kimonos from the Taishō and Shōwa era. These unique pieces were not only fashion accessories, but also an expression of Japan's influence by the European modernity; They reflect the cultural interactions and change in Japanese society. The Kimonos are presented as symbols for the "modern woman" of the 20th century and tell of the independence and the new social role of women during this time, like ots.at notes.

creative influence and property for all

The Meisen-Kimonos are characterized by its colorful patterns and the innovative material "Meisen", a mechanically processed raw silk, which became popular in the first half of the 20th century. Thanks to technical innovations in silk production and the introduction of synthetic aniline dyes, these Kimonos became affordable for wider sections of the population and turned into everyday clothing for women who were ahead of their time. The designers of these kimonos combine traditional Japanese motifs with influences from European art movements such as Art Nouveau and Art Deco. This is illustrated by the lively patterns of the Kimonos, which often contain complex geometric shapes and curved lines, as also describes the blog of mak.at

day of opening and details

The official opening of the exhibition will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 7 p.m., whereby entry to the opening of the exhibition is free. Further information on the exhibition times and ticket prices can be found on the MAK Website. This extraordinary presentation offers visitors the opportunity to experience the rich history and the aesthetic legacy of the Meisen-Kimonos up close and to discover their cultural importance for Japan and the interrelation between East and West.