The re-opening of the MAK Permanent Collection Carpets took place 8 April 2014 at 19.00 in Vienna and was very well attended. A selection of over 30 individual objects presented an impressive display of the MAK’s holdings of high-quality carpets with an emphasis on unique examples of 16th and 17th-century Persian, Ottoman and Mamluk carpets. The most valuable holdings on display include the MAK’s world-famous Safavid Viennese Hunting Carpet , the Silk Mamluk Carpet and a figurative Indian Pictorial Carpet from the era of Akbar the Great.
The carpets themselves, supported by thin steel wire ropes, appeared to float above the floor leaning toward the visitors in Michael Embacher’s architectural design. ‘The new design is a welcome change and improvement and one must remark that the design and illumination is much better now; it’s a flexible design that makes changes easier – and the MAK plans to change display every 2-3 years according to my information’ said ICOC’s Peter Bichler to Jozan Magazine.
A special exhibition program April-September 2014 includes:
- Wednesday 16 April 2014, 3 pm: MAK Seniors – Guided tour of the new MAK Permanent Collection Carpets, followed by further discussion at ÖSTERREICHER IM MAK Gasthaus. Bar.
- Thursday 17 April 2014, 5 pm: Expert-guided tour with Barbara Karl, Curator, MAK Textiles and Carpets Collection
- Saturday 26 April 2014, 2–5 pm: MAK4FAMILY The Flying Carpet
- Saturday 17 May 2014, 5 pm: Expert-guided tour with Barbara Karl, Curator, MAK Textiles and Carpets Collection
- Sunday 18 May 2014, 11:00 am: MINI MAK Tales from a Thousand and One Nights
- Tuesday 16 September 2014: Lectures as part of the International Conference on Oriental Carpets ‘Vienna Budapest Tour‘
Besides that there will be guided tours every Saturday at 5 pm.
Opening hours Tuesdays 10 am. – 10 pm, Wed–Sun 10 am – 6 pm. Free admission on Tuesdays 6–10 pm.
More articles about MAK Permanent Collection Carpets
Location and more information: MAK, Austrian Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Art, Stubenring 5, 1010 Vienna, Austria