Spirituality is not only a characteristic of religions, but also of serious art, creative craftsmanship and discriminating design. A recent example is the new Windows for Moving Light in Greifswald Cathedral, the church where Caspar David Friedrich was baptized. The windows were designed by Ólafur Elíasson and fabricated by Derix Glasstudios using mouth-blown panel glass from Lamberts in Waldsassen. Ira Mazzoni describes the method of manufacturing glass that can transforms mundane daylight into luminous spheres.
Blowing the half-cylinder. After the bottom of the balloon has been removed, teamwork is required. In the background, the “beginner” with the next workpiece. Photo: Ira Mazzoni.
Although the word “spirituality” does not appear in Jörg Johnen’s article about Anita Oettershagen and her works, the way this artist refers to nature in her textile sculptures and drawings can be described as spiritual.
After being a professor of design theory and textile design at the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences from 1983 to 2010, Anita Oettershagen devoted more of her time to her own artistic work.
Jewelry is particularly associated with spirituality. Along with the earliest cave drawings and tools, adornment stands at the very beginning of human culture. It is worth remembering that jewelry’s renewal after 1945 was initiated, among others, by the so-called School of Padua. Graziano Visintin experienced his artistic initiation there and later taught there himself for over forty years. Angela Böck visited the maestro in his workshop.
Curators’ Choice – short portraits selected by leading curators
Visionary artists from around the world, selected by renowned gallerists and museum curators: With this concept, each issue of Art Aurea presents five international positions in the exciting field between art, craftsmanship and design.
Daniel Costa was selected by Barbara Berger, owner of the handformwerk gallery in Switzerland. The South Tyrolean skillfully combines the rich heritage of handicraft techniques with innovative approaches and contemporary aesthetics. His work focuses on fiber, whether derived from yak’s wool or sheep’s wool, nettles or wood.
Berlin-based jewelry artist Coco Sung was nominated by Doreen Timmers, director of Galerie Door, Nijmegen, Netherlands. Coco Sung’s works contain a wealth of spiritual and cultural symbols that give rise to complex narratives. Some of her brooches can also be displayed on a wall.
With her collage-like works of many colors, materials and symbols, jewelry artist Coco Sung invites us on an exciting journey full of discoveries. Photo: Doreen Timmers.
Bettina Køppe, gallerist, Køppe Contemporary Objects, Bornholm, Denmark chose the glass artist Morten Klitgaard, whose sculptural glass objects are strongly inspired by the rugged landscapes of northern Denmark, where he grew up. His objects often appear weathered, hinting at the effects of time and nature.
With the work of Zsolt József Simon, we present a ceramic artist from Hungary for the first time in Curator’s Choice. The proposal came from Márkó Zsdrál, founder of the Zsdrál Art Gallery, Pécs, Hungary. Zsolt József Simon’s works are in a constant dialogue between extremes. They combine movement and stasis, imperfection and beauty, light and darkness in a harmonious whole.
Joe Hogan from Ireland proves that basket weaving can also be a form of artistic expression, embodying a profound connection between man, nature and history. The outstanding basket weaver and artist Joe Hogan was selected by Stephen O’Connell, curator and gallery owner, O’Connell Gallery, Ireland.
Interviews
Judith Büthe photographed Anita Oettershagen in her Düsseldorf studio for Art Aurea. The artist creates impressively subtle works in textiles and on paper. Shortly before, the photographer from Bochum was part of a Humanity 1 mission, where she actively helped to rescue refugees in the Mediterranean Sea. How does that go together, Judith Büthe: creating photographic portraits of artists and saving people from drowning?
Marc-Jens Biegel is a goldsmith, product designer and owner of the goldsmith’s shop Biegel on Börsenplatz in Frankfurt. He has broken new ground by collaborating with design greats such as Tom Dixon, Konstantin Grcic and Axel Kufus. Readers of the winter issue of Art Aurea discover what triggered this, how he runs his jewelry business today and what he thinks about the future of the industry.
Review
Alongside the Grassimesse in Leipzig, the MK&G trade fair in Hamburg is the most important museum fair for arts and crafts in Germany. One highlight is Hanne Friis’s first solo show in Germany. The works of this important Norwegian textile artist can be seen at the MK&G until April 27, 2025. In addition, there are exciting up-and-coming talents to discover.
Minimalist ceramic art by Kiho Kang, Untitled. On display at the MK&G trade fair in Hamburg. © Kiho Kang.
The 2024 State Prizes of Baden-Württemberg: The competition and the associated State Exhibition of Arts and Crafts take place every two years – this time in the Kleihues Building in Kornwestheim. All further information, the winners and their creations are documented in the new issue of Art Aurea.
The 15th Westerwald Prize: Contemporary ceramics span the entire spectrum between functional vessel and free sculpture. This is impressively demonstrated by the winners and the works exhibited at the Westerwald Ceramics Museum in Höhr-Grenzhausen.
In Regensburg, it’s “aufgetischt” (i.e. dinner is served). The exhibition “aufgetischt” by the Kunst- und Gewerbeverein Regensburg (Regensburg Arts and Crafts Association) is not about the traditionally laid table. Rather, it highlights objects that defy categorization and are situated between craftsmanship, design and fine art. This article is the dazzling conclusion of the 58th issue of Art Aurea, winter 2024.
We wish success and blessings for the coming weeks of reflection to all artists, their friends, customers and supporters, as well as to all museums, galleries and institutions that are so committed to conveying this culture.
And we extend our thanks to all our subscribers and advertisers, who make it possible for us to contribute to this worthwhile endeavor.