Koloman Moser was one of the most influential artists of Viennese art nouveau and co-founder of the Vienna Secession and the Wiener Werkstätte. True to the holistic claim of these movements he worked as a painter, graphic artist, master of the arts and crafts, was familiar with interior design as well as fashion and stage design and therefore designed integral objects and spaces. He died 100 years ago, which is why he is currently being honoured with a comprehensive exhibition of his work.
In its heyday around 1900, Vienna offered a wide range of cultural activities: from philosophy, painting, architecture, music and literature to mathematics, medicine and law. For about 20 years the city was characterised by cultural commitment and growth. In the field of art, it was often Koloman Moser who advanced the development of new formal languages and artistic approaches. In founding, shaping, and organising the Vienna Secession and Wiener Werkstätte together with Gustav Klimt and Josef Hoffmann, he significantly influenced Viennese art nouveau.
The exhibition displays around 500 exhibits from the MAK collection as well as loans, which are being presented to the public for the first time and depict Moser’s work in chronological order: starting with his work as a painter, through the universal artist who created integral interior spheres, and who ultimately returned to painting – prints, fabrics, furniture, and other objects are all on display.
Additionally, the Theatermuseum in Vienna will be showing Moser’s stage designs for theatre works until 22 April 2019. In May the exhibition “Koloman Moser. Universal Artist between Gustav Klimt and Josef Hoffmann” will move to the Villa Stuck in Munich.
