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Modern color explosion: Experience tit kimonos at the MAK Vienna!
The exhibition “Meisen-Kimonos” at the MAK Vienna shows from March 12th. until August 24, 2025 the colorful combination of Japanese and European modernity.
Modern color explosion: Experience tit kimonos at the MAK Vienna!
From March 12, 2025, the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) in Vienna will be showing a fascinating exhibition about tit kimonos, made possible by the generous donation from the Danish collector Henriette Friis. The exhibition in the central room of the MAK Design Lab, which runs until August 24, 2025, highlights the colorful and large-patterned kimonos from the Taishō and Shōwa periods. These unique pieces were not only fashion accessories, but also an expression of Japan's influence by European modernism; they reflect the cultural interactions and changes in Japanese society. The kimonos are presented as symbols of the “modern woman” of the 20th century and tell of the independence and new social role of women in this time ots.at notes.
Creative influence and ownership for all
The Meisen kimonos are characterized by their colorful patterns and the innovative material “Meisen”, a machine-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 to a wider segment of the population and transformed into everyday garments for women 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 vibrantly designed patterns of the kimonos, which often contain complex geometric shapes and curved lines, as does the blog by mak.at describes.
Opening day and details
The official opening of the exhibition will take place on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7 p.m., with entry to the exhibition opening free of charge. Further information about exhibition times and ticket prices can be found on the MAK website. This extraordinary presentation offers visitors the opportunity to experience up close the rich history and aesthetic heritage of Meisen kimonos and discover their cultural significance to Japan and the interrelationship between East and West.