Weltmuseum Wien unveils new exhibition on collection histories

The Weltmuseum Wien has launched a new three-part exhibition titled ‘Hidden Stories’ to showcase the diversity and complex histories of its collections. Under the leadership of Director Claudia Banz, the exhibition aims to highlight the various ways objects entered the museum's holdings.

One segment, ‘Stone by Stone,’ focuses on provenance research using stone sculptures from Asia and the Americas. Curator Bettina Zorn has selected nine objects, many of which were originally parts of religious buildings before entering the collection in the 19th century. The display includes a controversial figure from early 20th-century China that may have been intentionally crafted as a misleading forgery.

Another part of the exhibition explores the cultural significance of hair through items such as combs and hairpins. Additionally, a section is dedicated to contemporary Pakistani art, made possible by a donation from former UN employee Brigitte Neubacher, who collected works during her time living in Pakistan and Afghanistan.