Our world is in a critical state, both politically and ecologically. This raises the question of what designers can do to make a meaningful and effective contribution toward its preservation. Our cover story presents a prime example.
Anna Heringer studied architecture at the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz. After working for an aid organization in Bangladesh, she felt the need to combine design with social and ecological responsibility. This architect found an answer in building with clay, which is not only healthy and environmentally friendly, but also very beautiful.
“Beauty is when something is harmonious – harmonious towards the planet and the environment and also in the interests of future generations.” It is important to internalize this sentence – for designers and for all of us, if we want to preserve our planet. Julie Metzdorf introduces Anna Heringer, her worldview and her projects.
The Earth Campus in Tatale, Ghana, is a training and production center geared towards sustainability. An architectural project by Anna Heringer in which the local population participated. Anna Heringer.
Relaxing Spaces of the company Omicron in Vorarlberg, Austria. Design: Studio Anna Heringer, Lehm Ton Erde (Martin Rauch). An example of how appealing clay can also be used in European countries. Photo Stefano Mori.
Robert Hoffmann from Berlin trained as a metalworker before studying metal design at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hildesheim. He has been fascinated by working with metal since his youth, he told Jasmin Jouhar, who visited him at his workplace. In addition to his responsibilities as production manager of the Thein & Rios metal workshop, Hoffmann develops luminaires and furniture, which are produced in small series. His principle: less is better.
Since his studies in Hildesheim, Robert Hoffmann has been developing and manufacturing lights and furniture in metal. Photo Mathilde Agius.
Massimo Micheluzzi has dedicated himself to glass – Murano glass to be precise. Over the centuries, workshops and factories on the island of Murano in the Venetian lagoon have crafted virtuosic glass artworks. But a market for fakes emerged too and, in the wake of mass tourism, a surfeit of kitsch. Massimo Micheluzzi, a native Venetian, is one of those “who are transforming the international reputation of vaso di Murano into the 21st century,” writes Aldonso Palacio.
The Venetian Massimo Micheluzzi creates his sculptural vases together with masters from Murano. Massimo Micheluzzi.
Massimo Micheluzzi and Robert Hoffmann are like many other artists. The beauty and perfection of their creations always offer reason to hope for a better world. And the fact that there are people like Anna Heringer could almost inspire optimism.
Short Portraits – Curators’ Choice
For the “Curators’ Choice” section, curators and gallery owners are invited to expand and democratically supplement our editorial spectrum with exciting and pioneering positions from the fields of arts and crafts, design and art. We look forward to receiving suggestions at info@artaurea.de
In the current issue no. 55, these are:
Vera Siemund. She virtuously transforms fragments of architecture and images into unusual jewelry. Selected by the German Galerist Rosemarie Jäger, Hochheim.
Claude Champy. The French ceramist has been inspiring with expressive masterpieces for a long time. The book “Star Dust,” which has just been published by Arnoldsche Art Publishers, was the occasion to present this exceptional artist.
Bettina Speckner. Her ornate pieces of jewelry are not meant to be narrative, but they excite the imagination all the more.
Brooch by Bettina Speckner. Enamel photo, silver, shell, onyx, Tahitian pearl, 7×7.5 cm. © Bettina Speckner.
Heike Stuckstedde. With her light objects and installations, she moves masterfully between design and art.
Review
Akio Takamori: Retrospection. Exhibition of figurative ceramic art from Japan at the Westerwald Ceramics Museum.
Encounter in the Wilhelm Busch House. Heidi Degenhardt, Gudrun Petzold and W. Jo Brunner. Naturalistic works by two ceramists and a painter.
Handwerk & Design 2024. The Crafts Forum of the year at the International Crafts Fair in Munich.
Interventions at the Grassi Museum. Contemporary fine art in dialog with works of applied art.
The boundaries between art and craft are also blurred during the Grassimesse. Here is last year’s presentation by Ute Kathrin Beck in one of the historical collection rooms. Grassi Museum Leipzig.
Jewelry Design 2024 – Inhorgenta. The Inhorgenta celebrates anniversary. Contemporary jewelry at Hall B2.
Sigurd Bronger: Solo show at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich. Fifth Siegburg Ceramics Prize. Alix Brodeur wins with a room installation.
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