Curator
Cornelie Holzach, Director of the Jewellery Museum Pforzheim, was invited to make the selection for 2017. The final selection of the 704 entries was in her hands.
They selected 67 artists from 31 countries for SCHMUCK 2017.
“The increasing diversity of cultural experiences and, in particular, their acceptance not only from our own preconceived point of view, gives us a richness of facets that serves the sustainability of the author’s jewellery in the long term,” said Cornelie Holzach about the criteria for viewing and assessing the pieces of jewellery.
Winners of the Herbert-Hofmann-Prize 2017
Sanaa Khalil, Lebanon / Italy
The wooden brooches by Sanaa Khalil are characterised by a strong presence. Their dome-shaped surfaces were worked intensively: carved, cut, hammered, with care and at the same time almost with force. A violence in execution that is also inspired by the harsh reality of war zones. The wooden domes also refer to religious, political and economic powers. At the same time, however, they offer us a metaphorical protective space, although the surface appears to be covered in injuries. Danger and hope, vulnerability and strength are united in these expressive objects.
Florian Weichsberger, Germany
The series of pendants is based on the understanding of jewellery as a tool. Between weapon and orientation instrument, its function remains enigmatic. The polished parts are movable and allow sharp parts to be hidden and folded out. Their highly aesthetic execution has something threatening about it, somewhere between defense, attack and self-harm. Florian Weichsberger is interested in the paradox of vulnerability, even when you are fully equipped. The pendants thus also embody a reminder of this universally valid ancient wisdom.
Volker Atrops, Germany
The round brooches by Volker Atrops are painted with traditional bird motifs. At first glance, they are reminiscent of European folk paintings on everyday objects. Nevertheless, they cause irritation: the basic material is not ceramic or glass as the expected medium, but plastic. A further break is achieved through the colourfulness and superimposed drawings. Spots, stars and lines undermine the folkloristic idyll and transform the brooches into street culture buttons. These brooches invite us to question cultural codes and at the same time they offer a reflection on tradition, identity and contemporary making.
