A Home/Haunting: 40 Years of the KGM

Forty years after its inauguration in 1985 in a new building at the Kulturforum, the Kunstgewerbemuseum celebrates this anniversary with a reflective exhibition. The Museum of Decorative Arts questions its own history, its architecture, and its mission. Since its founding in 1867 on the model of the Victoria and Albert Museum, the institution has continued to evolve. Precious objects, furniture, textiles, and contemporary design tell the story of applied arts through the centuries. The exhibition explores how the museum has adapted to social changes, new conservation practices, and questions about heritage. Between memory and prospect, this assessment invites us to rethink the role of decorative arts museums in the 21st century.