The New Damascene Generation

The Travelling Exhibition by the Ring of European Cities with Iron Works is on tour

With far more than 100 pieces by 34 metal designers from eight European
nations, the Damascus steel travelling exhibition by the Ring of European
Cities with Iron Works, which has been under development for a long time,
was launched at the blacksmith's biennial in Kolbermoor. In spite of - or
maybe even because of - the absence of the "stars of the scene", the
exhibition features many impressive treasures. In addition to classic
subjects using Damascus steel or Mokume Gane techniques, many innovative and
futuristic design approaches can also be found.
The starting signal was given after three years of preparations and some
labour pains: With the private viewing as part of the blacksmith's biennial
in Kolbermoor, this major Damascus steel exhibition of the Ring of European
Cities with Iron Works has embarked on its journey through Europe. It will
remain in Kolbermoor until mid-September. Then it will move on to the
partner cities of Stia, Oude IJsselstreek and Gniew. Bad Hall and Ybbsitz
have also expressed interest in the exhibition. If everything goes as
planned, the more than 100 impressive Damascus steel pieces and Mokume Gane
objects will tour through 13 out of 14 ring cities and communities over the
next three years. Only Donezk is still in question due to customs
formalities. Even now, a guest performance has been set up for the 2009/10
turn of the year at the German knife museum in Solingen, where the
exhibition will be supplemented by numerous historical Damascus steel pieces
from the museum's inventory - a highlight in the tour calendar. A trip to
Berlin is also being planned.
A total of 34 armourers and knife makers, artist blacksmiths and goldsmiths,
jewellery makers and designers from Germany, Austria, Belgium, France,
Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Norway responded to the invitation
for participation in the travelling exhibition. Works from all of them were
selected for the exhibition.
The big surprise regarding the applications was that very few of the
"cracks" who dominated the "scene" over the past decades are represented.
Instead the show introduces a new, young and extremely innovative generation
of metal designers exploring new horizons with their Damascus steel and
Mokume Gane pieces; and this with mostly outstanding pieces, which should
generate even more interest in the exhibition over the next three years.
In addition to the "classic" knives, swords, axes and tools, most of the
pieces consist of jewellery or surprising designs, both in the artistic and
the applied field.


Text: Tobias Schumacher (Verlag HEPHAISTOS)

Do not hesitate to contact me, if you need any further information, images
etc.

Thede Wilts
Redakteur
HEPHAISTOS Verlag u. Redaktion
Inh. Peter Elgaß
Gnadenberger Weg 4
D-87509 Immenstadt-Werdenstein
Telefon +49 (0)8379/728016
Telefax +49 (0)8379/728018
E-Mail: t.wilts@metall-aktiv.de
http://www.metall-aktiv.de
HRA-Nr. A 855 - Reg.Gericht Kempten
Steuernummer: 123/214/50308
Umsatzsteuer-ID-Nr.: DE166210899
on tour

You can find all objects of the exhibition in online gallery now.

Just have a look here:

http://www.damaszenerstahl-ausstellung.de