Archives are not sites generally associated with liveliness. As research and documentation institutions, their strict nature is rooted in conservation considerations and access policies that exclude the broad public. Both private and public sector archives are selective with their expert audience, issuing permits for visiting, working, reviewing, and reproducing their material. What strengthens archives’ special aura is staying in the background while providing researchers and exhibitions with knowledge and artifacts.

Backhausen Archive recently made a different appearance in Austria. Leopold Museum in Vienna succeeded in attracting the public to a special exhibition, Poetry of Ornament: The Backhausen Archive, from 13 November 2024 to 9 March 2025. Curated by Ursula Oswald-Graf and Aline Marion Steinwender, the show explored holdings of the Backhausen Fabrics Company; this show sheds light on the interrelations of the textile industry and the pioneers of Vienna Modernism in architecture, artistry, and design.

The exhibition’s occasion was related to the archive’s ownership. After the passing of its latest owner and director, Louise Kiesling, Leopold Museum has purchased it. The professional engagement behind the show, its promotion, and the publication of a detailed catalog were in line with the iconic status of Backhausen as an Austrian cult. This show’s specialty is placing an archive as a starting point for narrating a history of design, applied arts, and textile trade.