The large wave: MAK exhibition on the water crisis until September 7th!

The large wave: MAK exhibition on the water crisis until September 7th!

With the unique color woodcut "Under the wave near Kanagawa" by Katsushika Hokusai, known as the Great Wave, the MAK A touching examination of the global water crisis. The Water Pressure exhibition, which opened on May 21, 2025, runs until September 7, 2025 and is part of a cooperation between the Museum of Art and Commerce Hamburg and Jane Withers Studio, London. Hokusai's work is part of the famous series "36 Views of the Berges Fuji" and is presented in the entrance area of the MAK under conservative conditions.

The installation is not only an artistic performance, but also contributes to the thematic examination of the challenges that mean water shortages for many companies worldwide. The exhibition addresses the importance of water, which, like in traditional Japanese art, reflects the daily life realities.

Special events and workshops

The finissage of the exhibition takes place on September 7, 2025 and offers visitors the opportunity to take part in tours and a workshop. The tours start at 11 a.m. and do not require registration. The Aquator Wasser-Wissens workshop from 15 to 5 p.m., on the other hand, requires prior registration and treats the topics of water and climate in Vienna. In addition, a card -based discussion game is aimed at young people and adults.

The design of the exhibition comes from 51n4e and Philipp Krummel, while the graphic design of Visual Fields and Theresa Hattinger was taken over. Interested parties can visit the exhibition during the opening times on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

background to Japanese art

Hokusai's work is not only known for its aesthetic quality, but also reflects the cultural relationship of Japan to water. Streams of Japanese art, especially the tradition of the Ukiyo-e, show water in different forms. These printing techniques include large lakes, rivers and the sea, and show everyday interactions with water. Murase Kana, a curator of the Tokyo National Museum, explains the profound importance of water in Japanese art, which was strongly shaped by geographical conditions. Works of art from this time, such as those of Utagawa Hiroshigen, illustrate the movement and transience of water with the help of lively colors and techniques.

An example of the awareness of the transience in Japanese culture is the term "Mono No Aware", which describes a deep understanding of the beauty of the transient. This sensation can also be found in the modern examination of water cycles and reflects the topics of uncertainty and melancholy, which are also influenced by earthquakes and tsunamis. In addition to the exhibition in the MAK, these topics can be further deepened in museums and in the art scene, for example in the Facets of Japanese art deal with water and movement.