Mateo Kries

Mateo Kries. He is a German design historian and curator, internationally recognized for his long-standing directorship of the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein. Under his leadership, the institution has become a globally influential venue for exhibitions on industrial design, architecture, and contemporary culture. Kries has curated and authored numerous significant publications that explore the intersections of design, technology, and society.

Biography

Born in Munich in 1974, Mateo Kries grew up in Germany during a period of significant cultural and political change following German reunification. He pursued his higher education in art history and German studies, attending the University of Tübingen before completing his studies at the University of Cologne. His academic work focused on the history of modernism and the Bauhaus movement, laying the groundwork for his future career. Early professional experiences included collaborations with institutions like the Kunsthalle Bremen and the German Architecture Museum in Frankfurt, where he developed his curatorial practice.

Career

Kries joined the Vitra Design Museum in the late 1990s, initially working on exhibitions and publications. He was appointed Director of the museum in 2011, succeeding founding director Alexander von Vegesack. In this role, he has overseen a prolific exhibition program, including major shows such as "Bauhaus: Conceptual Model," "Frank Lloyd Wright: Unpacking the Archive," and "Hello, Robot. Design between Human and Machine." He has also been instrumental in expanding the museum's reach through international touring exhibitions and collaborations with venues like the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Guggenheim Museum in New York City, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Beyond the Vitra campus, Kries serves on the advisory boards of several cultural institutions, including the Design Miami fairs and the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg.

Publications

As a prolific author and editor, Mateo Kries has produced a substantial body of work that accompanies and expands upon the museum's exhibitions. Key publications he has authored or edited include the comprehensive survey "*Atlas of Furniture Design*," which documents the history of modern seating; "*The Future is Here: Projects and Concepts from the Vitra Design Museum*"; and "*Total Space: The Architecture of the 1960s and 1970s*." He has also edited volumes on designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Verner Panton, and Jean Prouvé, as well as thematic books like "*Design of the 21st Century*" and "*The Great Utopia: The Russian Avant-Garde, 1915-1932*." His writings are frequently published by renowned houses like Phaidon Press and Birkhäuser Verlag.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Mateo Kries has received significant acclaim for his contributions to design culture. The exhibitions he has curated have won several awards, including the German Design Award for exceptional exhibition design. In 2016, he was honored with the European Museum Academy Award for the Vitra Design Museum's innovative programming. He is a frequent jury member for prestigious prizes such as the Compasso d'Oro and the German Federal Ecodesign Award. His influence in the field was further recognized with his appointment as a professor at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, where he lectures on design theory and museology.

Category:German curators Category:German design historians Category:Museum directors Category:1974 births Category:Living people