‘Heroes’ International Schmuck 2018 - Group Exhibition

Adam Grinovich, Edu Tarin, Andrew Lamb, Aaron Decker, Bernhard Elsasser, Alejandra Solar and Gésine Hackenberg.

Heroes - Exhibition Rationale

“In times of disaster and distress strong men and women rise to the challenge and take matters into their own hands. These heroes become the face of self-sacrifice, courage and integrity, an example for all of us. They are the adventurers of our time. Most of us humans need icons to look up to and follow their path. Heroes push us further to find our inner strength permitting us to make crucial decisions to improve our lives. Their bravery becomes a moral incentive, propelling us to take action, helping to make the world a better place for everyone”

Curated by Karin De Buysere & René Darmont (Galerie Beyond, Antwerp, Belgium) and Christian Hoedl, for International Munich Jewellery Week 8 -11 March 2018

‘Schmuck’ is an internationally renowned event for goldsmiths and jewellery artists. It has been held in Munich at the International Handwerksmesse since 1959 and has now become the catalyst for Munich Jewellery Week *

The 2018 event consisted of around 100 exhibitions across the city attracting exhibitors, collectors and enthusiasts from around the world.

* “5 – 13 March 2018, Munich Jewellery Week showcased avant-garde contemporary jewellery by both established and up-and-coming designers from all over the world. This yearly gathering is by far the most significant event on contemporary jewellery’s calendar; it’s a unique phenomenon which plays a pacemaking role in the contemporary jewellery field.

Hundreds of makers, students, educators and collectors come from all over the world to be inspired by MJW’s diverse programme that ranges from artist-run exhibitions, book launches and lectures, to performances, mobile presentations and parties.

Over the past decade, the gradual and organic expansion of the independent city exhibitions has boomed to a remarkable 100+ initiatives, establishing a self-ruled dynamic community of local and international artists.

Title Munich Jewellery Week was coined in 2015 by Current Obsession, to give a name to this extraordinary collective effort, and associate it to other professional fashion and design weeks around the world.

Our aim is to represent the multitude of these impressive independent events as a whole, to give them a recognisable visual identity and to offer clear information to new participants, press and international visitors.”

As a year three lecturer in the Silversmithing and Jewellery Dept. at GSA, I organise a 5 day study trip to Munich. To coincide with my exhibition one of the curators (Christian Hoedl) kindly gave a talk and ran a short handling session for the students. Later this semester the third years curate the 1st, 2nd & 3rd year Exhibition, so this was a valuable insight into group gallery shows.