Project director & Curator: Maria-Katharina Lang
The exhibition follows the traces of the Steppe and Silk Roads through time. Objects from the museum's collections illustrate historically important epochs and aspects: archaeological grave goods from the Tang period refer to one of the heyday periods of Silk Road trade, objects from the 13th/14th centuries from China and Iran to the last peak phase of the trade routes at the time of the Mongol Empire. Textiles, everyday objects and photographs convey an impression of Central Asia at the time of the scientific rediscovery of the "Silk Roads" in the 19th/20th century.
Objects from different time periods are juxtaposed with contemporary narratives, interviews, video documentaries and artistic works: rapid developments meet slow narratives, thus illuminating connections between the "New Silk Road" and the "Steppe Corridor" and historical routes. A special place in the exhibition is given to works by contemporary artists.
The complementary exhibition multiverse (17.5.2023 - 14.9.2023) is dedicated to the artists Nomin Bold and the artist Baatarzorig Batjargal; both are among Mongolia's outstanding contemporary artists.
The exhibitions are organised in cooperation with the research project Dispersed and Connected (FWF/PEEK AR 394-G24) funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). Project director & curation: Maria-Katharina Lang (Institute for Social Anthropology/ÖAW). Concept & design: Maria-Katharina Lang & Christian Sturminger.