Spinning threads and weaving them together is one of the earliest cultural techniques of mankind. The use of textiles as a form of artistic expression is just as old. The tapestry in particular, the colorful tapestry, was highly valued for centuries due to its representative character. Created according to designs by renowned artists, they were used to decorate church interiors, princely residences, public buildings and town houses. But what surprising effects arise when modern classics are translated into this textile medium? And what specific, even controversial potential does it open up for contemporary art production?

With a selection of more than fifty tapestries, the exhibition demonstrates the astonishing aesthetic range of this world of threads, provides insights into the historical development of the medium and explores its artistic relevance. The loans include traditional Baroque tapestries as well as works based on designs by renowned representatives of the 20th century avant-garde. Important productions from post-war modernism to international contemporary positions are represented.

Fanja Bouts, A Largely Distorted yet Surprisingly Ordered Map of Regular Irregularities: A Dense Description of the Present Day History of the Future, 2023, (detail), Courtesy of the artist

Fanja Bouts, A Largely Distorted yet Surprisingly Ordered Map of Regular Irregularities: A Dense Description of the Present Day History of the Future, 2023, (detail), Courtesy of the artist

The varied exhibition route leads through all four floors of the MdbK, linking different artistic epochs. The spacious architecture of the building with its characteristic terraces and wide vistas forms an effective frame of reference for monumental wall hangings and textile installations. The tapestries also repeatedly set accents within the galleries and enter into an exciting dialog with works from the museum's own collection - from medieval panels to digital photography.

An extensive educational program promises all curious visitors an active exhibition experience. There is plenty of space to make, play and experience in the "Faden Atelier".
December 11, 2025 to April 12, 2026

mdbk.de