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Rudolf Horn, DDR Modular Furniture Pioneer, Dies at 96

Cultural institutions move to preserve his legacy following a recent state arts prize.

Overview

  • The Kunststiftung Sachsen-Anhalt confirmed he died Sunday in Halle at the home of his partner at age 96.
  • The Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden said the Kunstgewerbemuseum has acquired his complete working room, including prototypes, for its collection, and the Kunststiftung Sachsen-Anhalt announced plans for a major exhibition.
  • Horn co-developed the MDW modular furniture program with Eberhard Wüstner for the Hellerau workshops, first shown in 1967, and its wall units furnished more than half a million DDR living rooms.
  • From 1968 to 1996 he taught at Burg Giebichenstein in Halle as a director, lecturer and later professor, shaping generations of designers.
  • In early October 2025 he received the Saxony-Anhalt State Art Prize for his life's work, underscoring renewed recognition of his impact.