German Design 1949–1989. Two Countries, One History

Special Exhibition

German design was put on the map in the 1920s by the Bauhaus school and the Werkbund association. After the division of Germany in 1949, design and everyday culture, too, went their separate ways on both sides of the border. In the West, design became a driving force in the "Wirtschaftswunder" while in the East it was absorbed into the socialist planned economy.

2023/09/13 - 2024/01/14

Vienna Furniture Museum

included in museum admission

German Design 1949–1989. Two Countries, One History

An exhibition by the Vitra Design Museum, the Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, and the Wüstenrot Foundation. Supported by the Federal Foreign Office

German design was put on the map in the 1920s by the Bauhaus school and the Werkbund association. After the division of Germany in 1949, design and everyday culture, too, went their separate ways on both sides of the border. In the West, design became a dr iving force in the »Wirtschaftswunder«, or economic miracle, while in the East it was absorbed into the socialist planned economy.

The Vienna Furniture Museum presents the panoramic overview of post-war design in the two Germanies. From 13 September 2023 to 14 January 2024, the exhibition "German Design 1949–1989: Two Countries, One History" will offer a comparative selection of design from East and West Germany and explore ideological and aesthetic differences as well as parallels and interrelations between East and West. Exhibits range from iconic pieces of furniture and lamps to graphic, industrial, and interior design to fashions, textiles, and personal ornaments.

Photo: Ernst Moeckl, chair „Känguruh“ (Kangaroo), 1971 and Peter-Ghyczy, untitled (genannt „Gartenei“ oder „Senftenberger Ei“), 1968, © Vitra Design Museum, photo: Jürgen Hans

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