Two are better than one

In two exhibits the MAK in Vienna dedicates to art jewelry from the Bollmann Collection and by Fritz Maierhofer

14168320060542Sammlung Bollmann MAK Wien

Joyce Scott, necklace Skelett (skeleton), 1990ies. Glass. Photo Nathan Murrell.

The exhibition Jewellery 1970–2015: Bollmann Collection. Fritz Maierhofer – Retrospective actually comprises two parallel exhibitions. One provides an insight into the collection of Heidi and Karl Bollmann, the subject of which is contemporary jewellery. The works of some 206 international artists testify to the collectors’ huge interest in jewellery from all cultural regions. Pieces of jewellery from the USA, Mexico, Israel, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Korea, Vietnam, and China are on display alongside exhibits from nearly all European countries. The exhibition is divided into three time periods: from 1970 to 1999, 2000, and 2001 to 2015. The year 2000 is given particular emphasis because, as part of the project Jewellery at the Millennium, Karl Bollmann invited the most prominent international jewellery artists to create a piece of jewellery especially for his wife. The resulting works are presented to the public for the very first time in the context of this MAK exhibition. The exhibition is accompanied by the catalog Jewellery 1970–2015: Bollmann Collection.

The second section displays a chronological overview of the oeuvre—jewellery and sculptures—of Fritz Maierhofer, one of the leading jewellery artists in Austria. On display are works from the 1960s until the present day, which are characterized by unusual combinations of materials and an avant-garde understanding of jewellery. Maierhofer creates unique objects from acrylic glass, steel, tin, aluminum, and the synthetic material Corian. His large works bear witness to the artist’s aptitude for sculpture, as do the many jewellery designs that seem to translate the format of sculpture into a small scale.

Klaus Arck, brooch, 1980ies. Balsa wood, papier-mâché. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Klaus Arck, brooch, 1980ies. Balsa wood, papier-mâché. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Manfred Bischoff, ring <em>Spanish Chimera</em>, 2000–2009. Gold. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Manfred Bischoff, ring Spanish Chimera, 2000–2009. Gold. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Fritz Maierhofer, ring, 2004. Corian, Gold. Photo Fritz Maierhofer.
Fritz Maierhofer, ring, 2004. Corian, Gold. Photo Fritz Maierhofer.
Wolfgang Lieglein, brooch <em>Mango</em>, 2010–2015. Fabric, foam, wood, glass. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Wolfgang Lieglein, brooch Mango, 2010–2015. Fabric, foam, wood, glass. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Lisa Walker, brooch, 2000–2009. Felt, silver. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Lisa Walker, brooch, 2000–2009. Felt, silver. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Fritz Maierhofer, brooch, 1987. Silver, gold. Photo Fritz Maierhofer.
Fritz Maierhofer, brooch, 1987. Silver, gold. Photo Fritz Maierhofer.
Manfred Nisslmüller, necklace, 1970ies. Gold-plated brass. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Manfred Nisslmüller, necklace, 1970ies. Gold-plated brass. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Graziano Visintin, brooch, 2000–2009. Gold, enamel. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Graziano Visintin, brooch, 2000–2009. Gold, enamel. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Andrea Vilhena, brooch <em>Körperformen</em> (body shapes), 2000–2009. Fabric, gold. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Andrea Vilhena, brooch Körperformen (body shapes), 2000–2009. Fabric, gold. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Ramon Puig Cuyas, brooch, 1990ies. Oxidized silver, acrylic glass. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Ramon Puig Cuyas, brooch, 1990ies. Oxidized silver, acrylic glass. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Kyoko Fukuchi, brooch, 2000–2009. Paper, silver. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Kyoko Fukuchi, brooch, 2000–2009. Paper, silver. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Robert Smit, brooch, 2000–2009. Whire gold, lacquer. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Robert Smit, brooch, 2000–2009. Whire gold, lacquer. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Fritz Maierhofer, brooch, 2006. Corian, acrylic, gold, silver, magnets. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Fritz Maierhofer, brooch, 2006. Corian, acrylic, gold, silver, magnets. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Martina Mühlfellner, brooch, 2000–2009. Paper, synthetic resin, silver. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Martina Mühlfellner, brooch, 2000–2009. Paper, synthetic resin, silver. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Fritz Maierhofer, brooch <em>Metallzeichnung</em> (metal drawing), 1977. Silver, yellow and white gold. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Fritz Maierhofer, brooch Metallzeichnung (metal drawing), 1977. Silver, yellow and white gold. Photo MAK/Nathan Murrell.
Fritz Maierhofer, sculpture, 2013. Iron, lacquer. Photo Fritz Maierhofer.
Fritz Maierhofer, sculpture, 2013. Iron, lacquer. Photo Fritz Maierhofer.

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    Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art
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    1010 Vienna
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