Sporty Supaheroe Jacket – EXEMPLARY: 150 Years of the MAK – from Arts and Crafts to Design

To mark the museum’s jubilee, the MAK presents an inspiring juxtaposition between the tradition-steeped MAK collection and contemporary avant-garde design. Divided into nine areas, the exhibition reveals changing perspectives between defining moments of the MAK’s history—which are told through the actions of influential protagonists close to the museum—and future topics in 21st century design that will prove pivotal for the museum. In so doing, the exhibition depicts the evolution of the MAK from a promotional and educational institution for Austrian arts and crafts to an internationally outstanding forum for applied arts, design, architecture, and contemporary art.

Nine globally renowned design pioneers have agreed to participate in an experiment to investigate the significance of a model exemplary collection as a source of inspiration, which was the original motivation for founding the museum. Faced with selected design examples, they will sketch out possible future subject areas and enhancements for the unique MAK collection.

Wolfgang Langeder, Bike Jacket, Sporty Supaheroe Jacket, AT, 2013, Cotton, polyurethane, copper, LED, electronic components © Utope / Foto: Elisabeth Grebe

One crucial design for this exhibition is this Wolfgang Langeder’s high-tech cycling jacket that contains a wearable electronic system which is attached to the inside of the garment. Stretchy polyurethane circuits with numerous LEDs are intended to guarantee visibility and safety in traffic. Additional technical components – such as sensors that react to movement and change of direction – further enhance the effect.

Visitors of the exhibition are invited to use the online participation platform to comment on and contribute to this unique exemplary collection.

Curatorial Guided Tours through the exhibition EXEMPLARY: 150 Years of the MAK – From Arts and Crafts to Design
Thu, 10.7.2014, 5 p.m.
Sat, 27.9.2014, 11 a.m.
with Tulga Beyerle, Director of the Kunstgewerbemuseum [Museum of Decorative Arts] in Dresden

Wed, 17.9.2014, 5 p.m.
with Thomas Geisler, Curator, MAK Design Collection