 |
| Goat, Marta Klonowska, Düsseldorf 2008, Metal frame; green-tinted, greyish-blue, gray, pink and brownish-red flat glass shards, silicone, H. 165 cm, Photo: Stefan Arendt, LVR, 2011 |
RhineBuzz discovers the city with you on two around events per month
We went to the Glass Museum on August 25
Next event will be the Kunstpunkte on September 11
These events are supported by the Düsseldorf Office of Economic Development
According to legend, in the time of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, a craftsman brought before the court a glass vase made of a substance so strong that when thrown upon the floor it did not shatter. Instead, the craftsman simply picked up the vase, tapped out a dent with his hammer and presented it to the Emperor. Shocked, the Emperor immediately asked whether anyone else knew of the existence of the glass, but the craftsman assured him they were the only two. On hearing this the Emperor had the craftsman killed immediately, lest news of this miraculous substance completely devalue his stockpiles of silver and gold.
This was but one of many of the stories of glass’s unique and occasionally apocryphal, place in history, related by Dr. Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk, Director of the Hentrich Glass Museum at Museum Kunstpalast, during the recent RhineBuzz tour. A much anticipated highlight of the RhineBuzz calendar, the tour was a fascinating way to explore this less well known corner of the Museum’s collection.
Comprising around 3 500 pieces, the museum’s collection is one of the largest in the world, offering a comprehensive history of glass ranging from functional vessels dating back to early Roman Times, through to contemporary pieces exploring themes such as climate change and commercialism.
It is a beautifully curated display that not only showcases the Museum’s collection but also challenges your understanding of glass as a medium. While you should definitely keep an eye out for future RhineBuzz tours, the current special exhibition of Slovakian Glass is outstanding and should not be missed. This exhibition brings together the talented artists working in photography and stencils as well as glass, to create unique and thought-provoking pieces.
A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Dedo von Kerssenbrock-Krosigk for taking the time to unlock some of the secrets of this wonderful space for RhineBuzz members.
Slovakian Glass - Installations of Palo Macho and Jana Hojstričová and design by Patrik Illo and Aleksandra Stencel runs until 4 September.
