- Partner country France presents new developments in artistic design
- "Ateliers d’Arts de France" artists’ association is first-time EUNIQUE partner
- Germany’s largest showroom – over 350 exhibitors from 20 countries
- Successful European platform for applied arts
- International jury ensures high quality standards
- Minister of Science, Research and the Arts acts as honorary patron
- Nine German galleries present their collections of unique objects
Exceptional artistic concepts, the finest craftsmanship, a keen sense for new directions in design – far more than any other European country with the possible exception of England, France played a leading role as a stylistic pioneer in the applied arts at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, to speak of one "French style", "French school" or "French design" within the applied arts would contradict the post-postmodern development of individual design trends. And yet the French artisan design scene remains committed to what sets the works of the "métiers d’arts" apart – the pairing of perfect craftsmanship and artistic mastery.
France’s artistically influential design schools and universities, such as Le Quai in Mulhouse, the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Institut National des Métiers d’Arts, founded in 2010, build on the tradition of perfect design – while at the same time earning an international reputation as experimental stages for new directions in design. The "Maison et Objet" trade fair in Paris plays a leading role here. The largest platform for the French design elite, at the beginning of the 21st century it proves that France is still one of the motors driving today’s international arts and crafts scene.
While visitors to EUNIQUE in 2009 and 2010 were already able to gain a nuanced impression of contemporary French artisan design, EUNIQUE 2011 features France as its partner country, presenting over 40 exhibitors in a joint French Métiers d’Arts stand for the first time in Germany. "They will enrich EUNIQUE 2011 with their creative imagination", says international arts and crafts expert Schnuppe von Gwinner of Hamburg. There will be much to discover besides new examples of French arts and crafts. Visitors will also gain insights into the style-forming processes of manual artistic design. The "Ateliers d’Arts de France" (AAF) organisation, the official representative of over 3,000 artists and craftsmen in France, is an important new partner for EUNIQUE in 2011. As in 2010, FRÉMAA (Féderation régional des métiers d’art d’Alsace) will present itself in a joint stand inside the partner country area.
With extensive knowledge of the European arts and crafts scene, French journalist Pascale Nobécourt has been a part of EUNIQUE since it was founded in 2009. As a EUNIQUE jury member, it is her belief that the selection of France as this year’s partner country represents another important step in EUNIQUE’s reinforcing the importance of international arts and crafts.
EUNIQUE 2011 – The place to be for top international designers
Design forges connections – the idea, the vision and its execution as well as the marketing of the unique nature of the product. Creative processes transcend borders, as Karlsruhe proves – with a view to achieving a creative, cross-border movement that looks beyond Germany and even beyond Europe. Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress-GmbH has paired the ideas of uniqueness and a creative Europe to develop a forward-looking international trade fair concept that remains unmatched in Europe – EUNIQUE, the international trade fair for applied arts and design. With EUNIQUE’s one-of-a-kind exhibition profile, the modern exhibition venue of Karlsruhe is signalling its flagship role within the international creative scene.
Taking "First-class international arts and crafts and artisan design" as its motto, the third EUNIQUE will once again be staged in the modern exhibition halls of the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center in 2011. From 27 to 29 May 2011, EUNIQUE will offer craftsmen, designers and visitors alike a unique international platform for excellence in design and innovative creations.
With more than 350 top exhibitors from all over Europe as well as Korea, India and Japan, EUNIQUE 2011 will once again surprise visitors with its special highlights. For example, the World Crafts Council Europe (WCC-Europe) will hold its award ceremony on Friday evening. EUNIQUE will also present a special show, "Top of Europe 2011", alongside the "Crafts of Europe" exhibition (winners of renowned European prizes for applied arts). This further underscores the international significance of EUNIQUE.
An important international partner of EUNIQUE since its founding, VESSELS, an international forum for vessel artistry, will present a large special show of vessels made by international artists from a wide variety of materials – ceramics, wood, metal, glass and paper. The "Les Maîtres d’Art" exhibition will be held for the first time in 2011. It features French artists who have been awarded the title of "Maître d’art" due to the high quality of their work. This special honour is also associated with the artists’ responsibility to pass on their knowledge and artistic skills to students.
Better quality, better creativity, better value ...
Since Jette Joop revealed that the secret of her success was the unfiltered creativity running through her veins, many people think it is enough to merely be creative. But is it really enough? Can creativity be the sole quality criterion for achievement in design? Indeed, is quality a contradiction to creativity? By taking "Quality first" as its guiding principle, Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress-GmbH, the organiser of EUNIQUE – arts & crafts, has cast its vote against arbitrary creativity and sent a clear signal that arts and crafts should meet high quality standards. The 2011 event will once again live up to EUNIQUE’s reputation as an international trade fair for arts and crafts of proven quality – looking beyond the company’s business interests in filling exhibition halls.
In its third year, Europe’s largest trade fair for applied arts and design will again present only selected design quality. These high standards are enforced by an international jury of experts. Creation, idea, execution, selection of material and craftsmanship were all put to test again this year as the jury met for several days in early February. They also considered the innovative, forward-looking aspects of the design, the individual artistic style and the unique nature of the work.
"The true success of a creation can be found in the design principles, the bringing together of head and hand, plan and execution, concept and artistic know-how, inspiration and craftsmanship," was the view taken by the EUNIQUE jury. EUNIQUE has strict criteria for participation, a fact that has not only become common knowledge among international applicants, but also sends a clear signal − those who wish to participate in EUNIQUE must have more to offer than just creativity in their blood! Several applicants who were rejected by the jury in the previous two years were able to win them over this year by improving the quality of their work.
Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Science, Research and the Arts, Dr. Peter Frankenberg, is also convinced of EUNIQUE’s high quality standards. He has agreed to act as honorary patron of EUNIQUE 2011.
EUNIQUE 2011 – The fascination of applied arts
Applied arts are popular with collectors – at least when they have a certain intrinsic value. However, this value is often measured in years only; applied arts with antique characteristics are significantly 0 contemporary arts and crafts design. However, the value of today’s applied arts has not only been recognised by large, renowned arts and crafts and design collections such as those of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York or period-based collections in arts and crafts museums such as those found in Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Prague, Budapest, Vienna and Zurich. They have discovered a new passion for excellently crafted design, for arts and crafts that experiment with materials.
However, in past years there were no stronger champions of the applied arts than a handful of galleries specialising in applied arts. They all share one thing: a fascination for applied arts which they pass on to a select circle of customers with an affinity for arts and crafts, and increasingly to a new group of art lovers who appreciate one-of-a-kind objects. Whether they focus on a single metier such as glass art, ceramics or jewellery or on the entire spectrum of applied arts, the passion for superb creations and the associated dedication that these galleries bring to the applied arts are essential to the campaign to win over a broader public to contemporary artisan design.
Nine renowned German galleries for applied arts and design will present their collections at EUNIQUE 2011.
Altstadt Galerie, Weinheim: One of the most important addresses in Germany for lovers of applied arts. Award-winning artists are represented by their most beautiful works in glass, ceramics, wood, silk and jewellery. www.altstadt-galerie.com
Galerie Frederik Bollhorst, Freiburg: The gallery’s concept is based on the blurred boundaries between handicrafts and arts. Artists and craftsmen create works that transcend this boundary. The gallery’s programme has placed it in the midst of discourse about the "applied" and the "fine" arts. Its position is one of stimulating debate rather than setting limits, and it simply asserts that any judgement is a matter of perception. www.galerie-bollhorst.de
Glasgalerie CCAA, Cologne: Based on antique artefacts from the museums of the world, CCAA manufactures reproductions that are true to the originals – mouth-blown and handcrafted in accordance with the 2000-year Roman glassmaking tradition. In addition, the gallery’s contemporary exhibitions present modern glass creations; unique pieces and limited editions by contemporary designers. www.ccaa.de
Galerie CEBRA, Düsseldorf: Founded in 1987, CEBRA is one of Germany’s first jewellery galleries. The gallery displays work by more than 200 jewellery designers and artists from Germany and other nations. Works made not only from precious metals and gemstones but also from unusual materials and everyday objects are presented in alternating exhibitions – in designs ranging from clean-cut and technical to festive and playful. www.galerie-cebra.de
Galerie Marianne Heller, Heidelberg: Founded in 1978, this gallery specialises in contemporary ceramic art, a metier whose long tradition has been shaped by innovation and a creative spirit that has created and continues to create surprises with its artistic freedom. This has in turn shaped the aspirations of the gallery. Its permanent exhibition and one-artist and group shows present sculptures and vessels made by important artists, placing a public spotlight on the current trends and standards of international ceramic art. www.galerie-heller.de
Galerie kontrapunkte, Cologne: Gallery for objects made of ceramics, wood and textiles. Kontrapunkte selects artists who explore materials within the tradition of a craft, while at the same time moving it forward. They give their works an expression that is less functional than sculptural, facilitating a more intensive dialogue with the viewer. Applied arts of this sort exist in a space between crafts and the fine arts. It is up to the viewer to decide where he or she would place them. www.kontrapunkte.net
Galerie Spektrum, Munich: Founded in Munich in the 1980s, the international jewellery gallery will present single editions by Georg Dobler and Herman Hermsen at EUNIQUE 2011. www.galerie-spektrum.de
Galerie CRAFTkontor, Bonn: The gallery aspires to represent the "luxury of the individual". One-of-a-kind pieces, single editions and limited editions by established and up-and-coming designers, artists and craftsmen; award-winning designs and avant-garde. CRAFTkontor carries selected design from European studios and workshops – a gallery that presents theme-based or one-artist shows featuring works by artisans, craftsmen and designers from Germany and other European nations. www.craftkontor.com
Galerie BIRÓ, Munich: Galerie Biró has dedicated itself to the material of our century. It is the only specialist gallery for high-end plastic jewellery. Within this context it represents renowned international artists, releases publications and serves as a forum for contemporary jewellery. www.galerie-biro.de
Upper Rhine Design-Presentation at EUNIQUE 2011
In addition, the design & co project will be held parallel to EUNIQUE. Experience how the latest technologies are being applied to design and find yourself at the centre of the action in an exciting process resulting from a large-scale collaborative project. The art and design universities of Basel, Strasbourg, Offenburg and Karlsruhe will be showing their current projects as part of the "Upper Rhine Design" networking project in which Karlsruher Messe- und Kongress-GmbH is involved as a partner.
