Felice [Lizzi] Rix-Ueno, ca. 1925.
© MAK – Museum für angewandte Kunst,
Vienna
To creativity its freedom
Petals resembling little round fans. Free-floating oval fruits, all in
the shades of blue, yellow, and poppy red. Distinct compositions made Albert Kriemler think of an illusion of movement – like visual music.
The Inspiration
The Spring 2024 collection is inspired by Felice Lizzi Rix-Ueno, a textile and craft designer who in the early 20th century established herself as one of the most remarkable artists of the Wiener Werkstätte [Vienna Workshop] with her design poetry.
Viennese Modernism was defined as a search for reduction and rationality. And then Lizzi came along, bringing ornament, vibrancy, color, and curves. Her work emphasizes a concept of “Fantasie” [Fantasy], as she liked to call it. For her it meant demonstrating imagination to achieve originality.
In March 2023, the designer first saw Lizzi’s work and was amazed by her passion to create a visual language of her own. Strong color contrasts let her art shine to this very day, most fabulously in her blossoms and birds. Her whimsical ideas made the universal personal.
Photo credit:
Felice Lizzi Rix-Ueno [Vienna, 1893 –Kyoto, 1967] designed her first works around 1914. At that time, she was studying at the Kunstgewerbeschule [School of Arts and Crafts] under architect Josef Hoffmann. Hoffmann together with painter Koloman Moser, established the Wiener Werkstätte [Vienna Workshop] in 1903 as a productive cooperative for artisans “to make all facets of human life into one unified work of art.”Rix-Ueno created hundreds of drawings, mainly for fabric patterns, but also for wallpaper, embroidery, enamel work, fashion and home accessories, toys, and graphic artwork. In her second home, Kyoto, where she moved after marrying Japanese architect Isaburō Ueno in 1925, she also succeeded as a university professor. Together with her husband, she founded her own design school. It was there that Rix-Ueno strengthened her concept of “Fantasie” emphasizing on individual imagination.Stars, Feathers, Tassels. The Wiener Werkstätte Artist Felice Rix-Ueno. MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna, November 22, 2023 – April 21, 2024
Credits:
Left: Design for WW fabric "Mohn" [Poppy],ca. 1929. Graphite pencil, paper, ink.© MAK – Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna
Right: Design for an embroidered tablecloth, ca. 1922.
Graphite pencil, paper, ink.
© MAK – Museum für angewandte Kunst, Vienna
Lizzi was convinced that only inner creativity will lead to one’s identity, truly believing in the expressive possibilities of craft. Craft as an momentum – an idea that also guides Albert Kriemler in his work and in designing this Spring collection; woven into hand-embroidered poppies, tassels transformed into sleek fringe, and airy organza in suits and coats.
With this collection Akris celebrates the infinite imagination of “Fantasie.” A dedication to Lizzi – and all women who amaze. Come to Lizzi Land!
