Exhibition '120 years Applied Art' in MUTEK - Museum of Applied European Art
Applied art forms a bridge between aesthetics and use. While fine art primarily invites contemplation, applied art is at the heart of daily life. From furniture and ceramics to fashion, glassware, posters, and industrial design: every object tells a story about the time in which it was made as well as about the people who used it. This exhibition takes visitors on a journey through more than a century of design, craftsmanship, and innovation.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, a new vision of art and design emerged in Europe. Craftsmen and designers wanted to create not only beautiful objects but also products that were accessible and functional. Movements such as Art Nouveau brought together graceful lines, rich materials, and refined details in everyday objects. Furniture, lamps, and tableware became works of art in their own right.
After the First World War, the role of applied art changed drastically. Functionality and simplicity became central. Influences from modernism and schools such as the Bauhaus led to clean lines, new materials, and an innovative view of mass production. Design had to be affordable, practical, and modern. During this period, iconic designs emerged that remain recognizable to this day.
The second half of the twentieth century brought an explosion of creativity. Artists and designers experimented with plastics, color, and technology. Pop Art, minimalism, and postmodernism demonstrated that applied art is constantly evolving. Design became not only functional but also a means of making identity, culture, and societal changes visible.
Today, there are once again major challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, reuse, and technological innovation play an important role. Contemporary designers combine traditional techniques with digital possibilities such as 3D printing and smart materials. At the same time, the core of applied art remains unchanged: creating objects that are both useful and meaningful.
This exhibition brings together 120 years of applied art in a multifaceted presentation of objects, sketches, materials, and stories. Diverse styles are featured, including Jugendstil, Art Nouveau, Nieuwe Kunst, Wiener Secession, Wiener Werkstatte, Amsterdam School, Art Deco, Streamline, Space Age, Memphis, and Postmodern Design. An exhibition like this is unique in the Netherlands and, given the scale of MUTEK, will not return for the next 10 years. Approximately 90% of the objects have never been exhibited before.
Through approximately 500 objects, visitors discover how design influences our daily lives and how design continually provides answers to the questions of its time. The past and present of applied art come together here in an ode to creativity and craftsmanship.
