MAK × Wienwoche: A critical tour of the MAK collection with Ralph Chan

Museums have long shaped how cultures are seen—and the Philippines is no exception. From colonial-era artifacts to exoticized narratives, Filipino histories are often filtered through Western lenses. So, how are Asia (and the Philippines) portrayed in museums?

Using selected objects from the MAK’s exhibition collections, the tour raises questions about how national cultural heritage is represented, whose stories are visible, and how institutions such as the MAK help shape aesthetic worldviews. In a dialogue based on personal experiences, cultural reflection, and institutional criticism, we explore what it means today to “decolonize” applied art—and how we can rethink our relationship to material culture in the future.

Fri, 21.11.2025 4 pm — 5 pm

MAK – Museum of Applied Arts

Porcelain Room from Dubsky Palace in Brno, Vienna, ca. 1740, Ke 6201/1912

MAK Permanent Collection Baroque Rococo Classicism

Ralph Chan is a trained sociologist from the University of Vienna with research and personal interest in the topic "Philippines / Filipinos and Filipino community in Austria". This developed as a result of his search for his own identity and his desire to understand his biography. From an early age, he always had to navigate between two worlds – Austrian and Filipino, European and Asian. Ralph found his own identity while writing and reflecting on his experiences, which are strongly influenced by social, political and cultural developments. He defines himself as a Filipino who was born and raised in Austria but has a strong connection to Filipino culture and the Philippines. He was the host of Sentro's webinar series/podcast ‘Euro-Pinoy Talk’, is co-editor of the anthology ‘Common Diversities 1 & 2’ and country editor for Austria at the oldest and longest-running Euro-Filipino online magazine ‘Roots&Wings’. Ralph was also one of the co-founders of the Halo-Halo network.

Fee for guided tour: € 5,50
Meeting point: MAK Columned Main Hall
No registration required

In cooperation with Wienwoche
wienwoche.org