ExhibitionWool. Silk. Resistance.

7 February – 14 June 2026

Colour photo of an exhibition room with three artistic carpets on the walls and three artistic carpets on the floor.
© Museum Angewandte Kunst, Photo: Günzel/Rademacher
Colour photo of an exhibition room with two carpets lying on the floor in the background, a light-colored, long, narrow carpet hanging from the ceiling in the center of the picture, and a red, fluffy carpet on the right wall.
© Museum Angewandte Kunst, Photo: Günzel/Rademacher
Colour photo of an exhibition room with various artistic carpets, some of which lie on the floor and some of which hang from the ceiling or on the walls.
© Museum Angewandte Kunst, Photo: Günzel/Rademacher
Grafik/Graphic: Bureau Sandra Doeller © Museum Angewandte Kunst

With the exhibition Wool. Silk. Resistance., the Museum Angewandte Kunst is dedicating itself exclusively to rugs, carpets, and tapestries for the first time in 45 years. This comes at a time when interest in handmade textiles of all kinds is experiencing a resurgence, reflected in a striking number of international exhibitions.

Rather than approaching rugs, carpets, and tapestries from a stylistic or art-historical perspective, the exhibition presents them within a trajectory that exists outside established Western approaches to textile studies. The title introduces a series of questions: Can resistance be articulated through textile materials? And if so, in what ways do rugs, carpets, and tapestries express an “aesthetics of textile resistance”? The exhibition centers on the perspectives of international artists working in the first quarter of the twenty-first century, who engage with different dimensions of resistance through rugs, carpets, and tapestries understood as open and evolving art forms.

Producing art within sociopolitical contexts entails positioning oneself in relation to specific social realities. This also requires a clear stance toward the concept of resistance – a relational term – that defines against whom or what resistance is directed. In this exhibition, resistance is initially understood as an experience of difference that, through subjectivity, gives rise to a wide range of aesthetic and artistic forms of expression as well as a broad range of themes. Within the artistic and emancipatory reconfiguration of rugs, carpets, and tapestries, the exhibition addresses political opposition, resilience, and material or structural endurance in individual ways. Acts of resistance may be directed against perceived illegitimate systems of power, traditionalism, discrimination, racism, trauma, or environmental destruction.

The exhibition features selected works by the following artists:
Faig Ahmed, Diedrick Brackens, Johannah Herr, Jan Kath, Alexandra Kehayoglou, William Kentridge, Baseera Khan, Noelle Mason, Otobong Nkanga, Tobias Rehberger, Erin M. Riley, Tsherin Sherpa, Rose Stach, Nasan Tur and Jeroen van den Bogaert.

Curator: Dr Katharina Weiler

About the production of the rugs, carpets and tapestries in the exhibition

The 37 artist carpets on display in the exhibition Wool. Silk. Resistance. were created in different ways, namely:

  1. as the artists’ own productions (Diedrick Brackens, Johannah Herr, Alexandra Kehayoglou, Erin M. Riley),
  2. as collaborations between the artists and manufacturers in artisanal production (Faig Ahmed, Jan Kath, William Kentridge, Baseera Khan, Noelle Mason, Tobias Rehberger, Tsherin Sherpa) or machine production (Otobong Nkanga, Jeroen van den Bogaert), and
  3. as found material that was subsequently artistically processed (Rose Stach, Nasan Tur).

The various production methods and their meanings are therefore not only relevant to the respective art concepts, but also form their fundamental prerequisite and substance.

The (transcultural) negotiation processes involved in the creation of the artist-designed carpets in the exhibition, which were produced in collaboration between the artists and manufacturers using traditional craft techniques, reveal the sometimes profound relationships between the artists and communities of knitters or weavers. Thus, the works also embody an awareness of social standards in textile production. For example, the carpets were manufactured with consideration for transparent supply chains and appropriate remuneration (understood here as a relationship-dependent variable worldwide) for the artisans involved—even those works that do not have formal certification.

Exhibition catalog

The exhibition is accompanied by the publication of the catalog Wool. Silk. Resistance.

Edited by Katharina Weiler and Matthias Wagner K.
With contributions by Caroline Achaintre, Eva Linhart, Teresa Minn, Leon Lukas Plum, Sofia Simeth, Matthias Wagner K and Katharina Weiler.
Published by Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther und Franz König.
Design: Bureau Sandra Doeller

German / English
188 pages
Hardcover
24 × 32 cm
38 EUR

You can purchase the catalog at the ticket office of the Museum Angewandte Kunst.

Colour photo of an exhibition catalog.
Photo: Bureau Sandra Doeller © Museum Angewandte Kunst

Accompanying program

LOOMCYCLE a mobile loom for communal weaving, a symbolic act of participation and engagement

Foto/Photo: Museum Angewandte Kunst

How do we imagine museums in the future? What happens when people don’t go to the museum, but the museum comes to the people instead—with a mobile loom that symbolizes connection, communal creativity, and participation?

From February to May 2026, raumlaborberlin’s LOOMCYCLE will travel through Frankfurt’s neighborhoods. It will stop at places and events where people come together and new connections are formed. In community centers, marketplaces, and neighborhood festivals, we invite local actors and partner institutions to participate—to weave, engage in conversation, and experience design as a collaborative, democratic process.

LOOMCYCLE is a project of the Berlin based collective raumlaborberlin and part of the accompanying program to the exhibition Wool. Silk. Resistance. as well as part of the program of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 at the Museum Angewandte Kunst.

Foto/Photo: Museum Angewandte Kunst

LOOMCYCLE at the Museum Angewandte Kunst

  • Sat, 14 February, 3–6pm
    Kick-off with initiator and artist Francesco Apuzzo, raumlaborberlin
  • Sun, 15 February, 11am–2pm
    Kick-off with initiator and artist Francesco Apuzzo, raumlaborberlin
  • Sun, 1 March, 11.30am–2.30pm
  • Sun, 15 March, 11.30am– 2.30pm
  • Sun, 29 March, 11.30am–2.30pm
  • Wed, 8 April, 5.30–6.30pm
  • Sun, 12 April, 11am–4pm
    Topic day as part of the European Days of Arts and Crafts with workshops and guided tours for children aged 4 and older, families and adults
  • Sat, 25 April, 7–10 pm
    Night of the Museums
  • Sun, 3 May, 11.30am–2.30pm
  • Sun, 17 May, from 2pm on
    Closing event with a community picnic in the Metzlerpark around the woven carpet
Foto/Photo: Museum Angewandte Kunst

LOOMCYCLE on tour

  • Thu, 26 February, 3–6pm: Fliegendes Künstler:innenzimmer, Gravensteinerplatz, Preungesheim
  • Thu, 5 March, 3–6pm: Fliegendes Künstler:innenzimmer, Gravensteinerplatz, Preungesheim
  • Tue, 17 March, 4–7pm: Klima-Werkstatt, Ginnheimer Kirchplatz, Ginnheim
  • Sat, 21 March, 10–12am: Rollendes Buchcafé, Gustavsburgstraße
  • Fri, 24 April, 3–6pm: Quartiersmanagement Ginnheim, Platenstraße 80
  • Sat, 2 May, 2–6pm: Lebenshilfe Gut Hausen, Frankfurt
  • Fri, 8 May, 4–7pm: Gustavsburgstraße, Gallusviertel, Frankfurt

Public guided tours

Included in the admission fee. No prior registration required. For additional dates, please refer to the events calendar on our website.

Sat, 7 February, 3 pm
War Rugs From America
With artist Johannah Herr, curator Dr Katharina Weiler and junior curator Leon Lukas Plum (EN)

Wed, 25 February, 6.30 pm
Ornament und Widerstand
With curator Dr Katharina Weiler and art historian Dr Eva Linhart (DE)

Wed, 11 March, 6.30 pm
With junior curators Sofia Simeth and Leon Lukas Plum (DE)

Wed, 18 March, 6.30 pm
Teppiche und neue Kunstkonzepte zwischen freier und angewandter Kunst
With art historian Dr Eva Linhart (DE)

Wed, 25 March, 6 pm
With junior curators Sofia Simeth and Leon Lukas Plum (DE)

Sun, 12 April, 11 am and 3 pm
With junior curators Sofia Simeth and Leon Lukas Plum (DE)

Wed, 22 April, 6.30 pm
With curator Dr Katharina Weiler (DE)

Wed, 29 April, 6.30 pm
With junior curators Sofia Simeth and Leon Lukas Plum (DE)

Sun, 17 May, 3 pm
Wolle, Werte, Widerstände: zeitgenössische Teppiche zwischen Kunstmarkt und Weltpolitik
With art historian Francesco Colli (DE)

Haptic tour for blind people, people with visual impairment and sighted people

Close up of three people sitting on a carpet. The people feel the carpet with their hands.
Photo: Museum Angewandte Kunst

With Lilian Korner, blind art historian and inclusion activist, and art educator Linda Gottwald.
Included in exhibition ticket. Information and registration at create.angewandte-kunst@stadt-frankfurt.de or 069/212 38522.

If necessary, we can assist you with planning your journey and pick you up at the “Schweizer Platz” station. Please make arrangements during registration.

Dates
Wed, 18 February, 6–7.30 pm
Sun, 12 April, 1.30–3 pm
Wed, 13 May, 6–7.30 pm

Events

Wed, 25 March, 7 pm
Book launch
With the authors and graphic designer Sandra Doeller.
No prior registration required.

Sun, 12 April, 11 am–4 pm
Topic day as part of the European Days of Arts and Crafts
Workshops and guided tours for children aged 4 and older, families and adults. Including junior curator tours; haptic tour for blind people, people with visual impairment and sighted people; textile workshop with the Stitch by Stitch tailoring studio.
Included in exhibition ticket, prior registration only required for haptic tour.

Wed, 15 April, 7 pm
Spoken word performance
With Dalibor Marković (DE)
5 EUR, no prior registration required.

Sat, 25 April, from 7 pm
Night of the Museums 2026
Short tours and walk-in workshop.
Included in the Night of the Museums ticket, no prior registration required.

Wed, 6 May, 7 pm
„Wir weben, wir weben!“ Wie Weben zum Inbegriff des politischen Widerstands wurde
Lecture by Professor Christopher Daase, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt (DE)
5 EUR, no prior registration required.

Colour photo of a table with various scraps of fabric as well as other sewing utensils as scissors and a measuring band.
Photo: Schneiderwerkstatt Stitch by Stitch

Workshops for adults

Colour photo of a man working at a small loom.
Photo: Jan Kath Design GmbH

Sat, 7 March , 2–5 pm
Knotting with Sanchir Kath, Jan Kath Design GmbH
Information and registration at create.angewandte-kunst@stadt-frankfurt.de or 069/212 38522.
Workshop fee: 24 EUR
FULLY BOOKED

Sat, 18 and Sun, 19 April, 10 am to 3 pm each day
Tufting with Jia Write (2 days)
Information and registration at create.angewandte-kunst@stadt-frankfurt.de or 069/212 38522.
Workshop fee: 96 EUR
FULLY BOOKED

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Calendar

Wool. Silk. Resistance.

  • LOOMCYCLE Closing event with a community picnic around the woven carpet.

    On 17 May starting at 2 pm, the Museum Angewandte Kunst invites you to a community picnic in the adjacent Metzlerpark as part of International Museum Day.

    Over the past few months the LOOMCYCLE, the mobile loom by raumlaborberlin, has made stops in various neighborhoods of Frankfurt. At each location, a unique rug has been created through the collaboration of many hands and encounters. The fabric will now be unveiled on 17 May in a joint presentation with all who participated in the weaving and ceremoniously unfurled.

    The carpet and an edible installation by Melina Matzanke will create a space for gathering, exchange, and shared relaxation.

    Anyone interested is welcome to bring their own food, blankets, and friends to be part of this celebratory finale.

    Without registration. Free entry.
    Location: Museum Angewandte Kunst

  • Guided tour on the topic Wolle, Werte, Widerstände: zeitgenössische Teppiche zwischen Kunstmarkt und Weltpolitik with art historian Francesco Colli.

    Without registration. Included in the admission price.
    The tour will be held in German.

  • Without registration. Included in the admission price.
    The tour will be held in German.

  • Without registration. Included in the admission price.
    The tour will be held in German.

  • Without registration. Included in the admission price.
    The tour will be held in German.

  • Without registration. Included in the admission price.
    The tour will be held in German.

  • With curator Katharina Weiler.
    Without registration. Included in the admission price.
    The tour will be held in German.