From the 21st of May 2025, the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna will be presenting the exhibition WATER PRESSURE. Designing for the Future. This international exhibition project, which has already been shown in Hamburg and Zurich, positions design as a central force in addressing the global water crisis. The Vienna edition of the exhibition has been expanded with new exhibits.
Water is all around us, flowing through bodies of water, cities and ecosystems – yet it is increasingly out of balance around the world. WATER PRESSURE focuses on the scarcity, pollution and cycles of this vital resource. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the exhibition brings together art, design, architecture and science to explore ways of creating a more equitable and sustainable water future. The spectrum ranges from locally inspired everyday solutions to speculative visions of the future. The exhibition is a collaboration with the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg (MK&G) and the London-based Jane Withers Studio.
Vienna Perspectives on a Global Issue
The MAK Vienna version of the exhibition includes historical objects, local projects, statistics and contemporary artists’ and designers’ contributions. Highlights include Julian Charrière’s monumental video work ‘And Beneath It All Flows Liquid Fire‘ (2019), staged as a spectacular introduction. Dutch collective Dutch Invertuals present a specially adapted version of their installation ‘Flow‘. In the MAK’s glass hall, visitors can try out ‘SafeTap‘ – a sanitary solution developed by Vienna-based studio EOOS that enables hygienic hand-washing with minimal water consumption. The system was designed specifically for schools without access to water in the Global South.
Design in the Face of Water Scarcity
Divided into five thematic chapters, the exhibition explores the multifaceted nature of the global water crisis. ‘Water Stories‘ tells of the cultural significance of water across time and cultures. ‘Bodily Waters’ explores water’s intimate relationship with human and non-human bodies, highlighting social inequalities in access to clean water.
‘Thirsty Cities‘ examines urban areas and their strategies for dealing with drought and flooding. Invisible Water reveals the hidden water flows embedded in consumer goods, from textile dyeing to agriculture. ‘Ecosystems‘ explores how regenerative approaches can restore the balance between humans and nature.
| Photo: Ronald Smits
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