Tue, 5.5.2026
6 PM
6 PM
Talk Discussion Symposium
Felix Lenz in conversation with Janina Falkner, Head MAK 3 Education and Outreach
An evening for Schindler’s Ark and the Museum of Survivors with Daniel Löw-Beer and Widar Halén
to commemorate the fate of women artisans under National Socialism
Tue, 7.10.2025 6.30 pm — 8.30 pm
MAK – Museum of Applied Arts
© MAK
© MAK
© MAK
© MAK
© MAK
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In 1944, German industrialist Oskar Schindler transferred around 1,200 Jewish forced laborers to the site, thereby saving their lives. Steven Spielberg dedicated the film Schindler’s List to this event.
Daniel Löw-Beer, grandson of the factory’s last owner, Walter Löw-Beer, acquired the site and established a foundation. The Schindler’s Ark Memorial and the exhibitions at the Museum of Survivors commemorate the fate of Jewish women artisans under National Socialism. The museum’s opening in May 2025 marked another milestone in the revitalization of the former Löw-Beer textile factory and the town itself.
In their talk, Widar Halén and Daniel Löw-Beer will provide insight into their research on Jewish textile designers Otti Berger, Anni Albers, and Lilly Reich, as well as ceramicist Lucie Rie, to whom they dedicated their book Starting at Zero. Their work is also presented in the Museum of Survivors.
Daniel Löw-Beer is an epidemiologist at the WHO, as well as a journalist and writer. His book THE ARKS: The Löw-Beer story behind Schindler’s List and Villa Tugendhat (Brno, 2020) recounts his family’s history. He initiated the revitalization of Brněnec and founded Schindler’s Ark and the Museum of Survivors.
Widar Halén is an art historian, former director of the Design and Decorative Arts Department at the National Museum of Art, Architecture, and Design in Oslo, Norway, and now an advisor and curator at Schindler’s Ark and the Museum of Survivors. He is the editor of Starting at Zero: Otti Berger, Anni Albers, Lilly Reich, Lucie Rie (Brno, 2025).
During the talk, Daniel Löw-Beer and Widar Halén will offer insights into the complex history of the site and the Museum of Survivors project.
More information on the website of the ARKS Foundation
PROGRAM
Welcome and introduction
Rainald Franz, Curator, MAK Glass and Ceramics Collection
Talk
Daniel Löw-Beer, grandson of the last Jewish owner of the textile factory that became Schindler’s Ark
Widar Halén, senior advisor and curator, Schindler’s Ark
(in English)
PRACTICAL INFO
No registration required
Free admission with museum ticket
Daniel Löw-Beer, grandson of the factory’s last owner, Walter Löw-Beer, acquired the site and established a foundation. The Schindler’s Ark Memorial and the exhibitions at the Museum of Survivors commemorate the fate of Jewish women artisans under National Socialism. The museum’s opening in May 2025 marked another milestone in the revitalization of the former Löw-Beer textile factory and the town itself.
In their talk, Widar Halén and Daniel Löw-Beer will provide insight into their research on Jewish textile designers Otti Berger, Anni Albers, and Lilly Reich, as well as ceramicist Lucie Rie, to whom they dedicated their book Starting at Zero. Their work is also presented in the Museum of Survivors.
Daniel Löw-Beer is an epidemiologist at the WHO, as well as a journalist and writer. His book THE ARKS: The Löw-Beer story behind Schindler’s List and Villa Tugendhat (Brno, 2020) recounts his family’s history. He initiated the revitalization of Brněnec and founded Schindler’s Ark and the Museum of Survivors.
Widar Halén is an art historian, former director of the Design and Decorative Arts Department at the National Museum of Art, Architecture, and Design in Oslo, Norway, and now an advisor and curator at Schindler’s Ark and the Museum of Survivors. He is the editor of Starting at Zero: Otti Berger, Anni Albers, Lilly Reich, Lucie Rie (Brno, 2025).
During the talk, Daniel Löw-Beer and Widar Halén will offer insights into the complex history of the site and the Museum of Survivors project.
More information on the website of the ARKS Foundation
PROGRAM
Welcome and introduction
Rainald Franz, Curator, MAK Glass and Ceramics Collection
Talk
Daniel Löw-Beer, grandson of the last Jewish owner of the textile factory that became Schindler’s Ark
Widar Halén, senior advisor and curator, Schindler’s Ark
(in English)
PRACTICAL INFO
No registration required
Free admission with museum ticket