Naturally

The diversity of nature, with its countless shapes, colors and materials, has always been a source of ideas for artists. The Natürlich [Naturally] exhibition at the Regierungspräsidium on Rondellplatz in Karlsruhe presents jewelry and ceramics, as well as items made of textile, paper and other materials. Inspired by the treasures of nature, these objects offer visitors a new perspective on this theme. Thirty artists – most of them members of the Bund der Kunsthandwerker Baden-Württemberg, but also students and graduates of the Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart – present their creations in the exhibit.

Heike Ehrath, underwater animals made of paper, playfully transformed.

Susanne Goldbach, “creepy crawlies” with almost human characteristics.

Ute Kathrin Beck, Schönheit und Verderben [Beauty and Doom] installation with objects related to the coronavirus.

Heike Ehrath, for example, is showing colorful objects made of paper that call to mind jellyfish with long tentacles. The iridescent wings of beetles and other insects inspired the goldsmith Susanne Goldbach to create pieces of jewelry with enamel, which she uses to reproduce this magnificent play of colors. Ute Ketelhake’s pillows give a second life to scraps of knitted fabric: robust soft fringes are woven in, creating structures that resemble coral formations gently undulating in an underwater current. The colors of the blankets and pillows woven by Dagmar Hawener conjure a blossoming summery meadow.

Heide Nonnenmacher. Ceramic object. There was an ocean here 140 million years ago in the Jurassic era.

Elisa Stützle-Siegsmund, installation Memories of the Jurassic Ocean.

Martina Ege, ring. A spiky structure combines with colorful fire enamel.

Paleontological specimens from an ancient ocean that stretched across southern Germany during the Jurassic era 140 million years ago inspired Heide Nonnenmacher and Elisa Stützle-Siegsmund to create new ceramic objects. Colorful corals were the source of inspiration for the goldsmith Martina Ege, whose spiky structures rely on fire enamel for their luminosity.

Julia Münzing, Flux Paradox brooches. Electron-microscopic images of flower pollen provided the pattern.

Stefanie Prießnitz, umwickelt [wrapped] necklace. Inspired by spiders.

Themed exhibitions such as Natürlich [Naturally] showcase the creative artistic skills that are now also widespread among craftspeople in Baden-Württemberg. These one-of-a-kind pieces and small series simultaneously represent a counterpoint to anonymous mass production. UNESCO classified crafts as an “Intangible Cultural Asset of a Nation” in 2003.