The Magazine of the German Design Council
Johannah Herr, American War Rug XVII (Hawaii, 1893), 2022, acrylic, wool, tufted, 160x91,5 cm © Courtesy of the Artist and Gaa, New York + Cologne, Photo: Mareike Tocha
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Wool. Silk. Resistance.

News0Exhibition
From 7 February 2026, the Museum Angewandte Kunst in Frankfurt am Main will be dedicating an exhibition to the ‘aesthetics of textile resistance’. The exhibition ‘Wool. Silk. Resistance’ focuses on carpets as a medium of socio-political debate.  

The exhibition ‘Wool. Silk. Resistance.’ does not view carpets as works of art or historical artefacts, but as open pieces that address social issues. International artists use textiles to highlight issues such as abuse of power, discrimination, racism, trauma and environmental destruction. In doing so, the works transcend the traditional two-dimensional nature of carpets, developing into three-dimensional pieces that engage visitors directly. The carpet thus becomes an expression of a political attitude, opening up different perspectives on resistance. The exhibition features works by renowned international artists, including Faig Ahmed, Diedrick Brackens, Johanna Herr, Jan Kath, Baseera Khan, Alexandra Kehayoglou, William Kentridge, Noelle Mason, Otobong Nkanga, Tobias Rehberger, Erin M. Riley, Tsherin Sherpa, Rose Stach, Nasan Tur, and Jeroen van den Bogaert. Dr Katharina Weiler is the curator of the show.

 

Accompanying Program: Workshops, Guides Tours and Participation

The MAK also offers a diverse programme that engages visitors in various ways with the world of carpets and textile resistance. It includes public tours and tactile tours for blind and visually impaired people as well as for sighted visitors. In addition, the museum invites children and adults to participate in hands-on workshops.

Further information and dates for the supporting programme can be found here.

 

Exhibition

Wool. Silk. Resistance.

7 February – 24 May 2026

Museum Angewandte Kunst
Frankfurt am Main

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