The National Museum of Art of Romania (49–53 Calea Victoriei) presents the exhibition “Flying Carpets – Thomas Ruff & Transylvania & Anatolia”, open to the public until 28 February 2026.
Curated by Erwin Kessler, the exhibition explores the encounter between tradition and modernity, the local and the global, offering a reflection on cultural values situated at the crossroads of seemingly opposing worlds, yet deeply interconnected in the contemporary present.
The so-called Transylvanian carpets originate in western Anatolia, in regions such as Gördes and Selendi. They are Muslim prayer rugs typical of the Ottoman world. Each carpet functioned as a portable space of private devotion, a surface that symbolically defined a place for prayer and spiritual reflection.
Conceived as images of paradise, Anatolian carpets were richly ornamented and aesthetically refined. Beyond their religious function, they quickly acquired artistic and decorative value. From the 16th century onward, these objects became highly prized in Europe, where they were perceived as symbols of luxury, exoticism, and opulence.
“Flying Carpets – Thomas Ruff & Transylvania & Anatolia” brings this complex history to the fore, placing cultural heritage, spirituality, and contemporary art in dialogue, and offering a current perspective on the circulation of images and values across cultures.
