Die Farben der Erde at Weltmuseum Wien: Exhibition Opening & Workshop
We are delighted to share that the exhibition Die Farben der Erde. Moderne Textilkunst in Mexiko, curated by Carlos Barrera Reyes and co-curated by Renee Riedler is now on view at the Weltmuseum Wien. The exhibition opened on 21 October 2025 and runs from 22 October 2025 to 6 April 2026.
This exhibition offers a vivid and sensory encounter with contemporary textile art rooted in the rich traditions of Indigenous communities in Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico. Working closely with weavers from over thirty communities, artist and curator Carlos Barrera Reyes presents collaborative textile practices that combine ancestral knowledge, natural dyes, and collective creativity.
Through textiles, photography, installations, ceremonial and contemporary huipiles, videos, and archival material, the exhibition highlights deep connections between nature, culture, and community. It foregrounds Indigenous weavers as knowledge keepers and introduces sustainable, ethical approaches to textile production in the context of cultural and ecological change.
Hands-On Engagement in the Exhibition Program
As part of the accompanying program, our colleague Cécile Mendy took part in a natural dyeing workshop led by Carlos Barrera Reyes and Beatrice Consagra Bretton.
Participants worked with natural pigments such as cochineal and indigo and applied the traditional shibori binding and dyeing technique to create their own silk textile. The workshop offered an opportunity to experience material practice firsthand — reinforcing our commitment to engaging with cultural heritage not only through research, but through embodied learning and shared creative processes.
The workshop concluded with a guided visit to the exhibition, deepening insight into the artistic processes and collaborative networks behind the works on display.
More to Experience
The exhibition is accompanied by a rich program of workshops, talks, and guided tours that offer further opportunities to engage with natural dye traditions, Indigenous textile knowledge, and contemporary artistic practice.
