IFGS awards the first "Professor-Alfred-Habermann-Prize"

Lifework of Heinz Denig Honoured

On August 8, during the blacksmith's biennial in Kolbermoor, the
"Internationaler Fachverband Gestaltender Schmiede" (IFGS) (International
Association of Designing Artist Blacksmiths) presented the first
"Professor-Alfred-Habermann-Prize". President Cornelis Pronk awarded the
prize to master artist blacksmith and Damascus steel expert Heinz Denig for
his sustained outstanding and special contributions to the field of metal
design and blacksmith art.
The challenge cup is a reminder of the example set by the late Prof. Alfred
Habermann, an honorary member who passed away on April 28, 2008 and passed
on his high ideals for the blacksmith's art to young metal designers during
his lifetime. As Pronk said in his laudation: "Just as Professor Alfred
Habermann dedicated himself to his successors in the blacksmith trade and
taught courses, the prize goes to a person who also continuously passed on
his knowledge and is well-travelled." He indicated that Denig considered the
following question in regards to metal: "Where does the material come from,
and what can I do with it?"
This first cup was designed by master artist blacksmith Martin Fritz from
Imberg in Allgäu. Regarding his concept for the approximately 40 centimetre
tall sculpture, he explained that he was inspired by Heinz Denig's works and
investigations. For the base of the sculpture, he selected an orestone from
the Allgäu which holds two upright rods of forged bronze. Fritz forged their
ends into stylised axe blades. The bronze rods hold an acrylic glass plate
bearing the gilded inscription "Prof. Alfred Habermann Prize". The plate
also shows a damascene pattern based on an original Damascus steel piece by
Heinz Denig, which Martin Fritz applied to the acrylic glass by
sandblasting.
Clearly surprised, Heinz Denig expressed his thanks for the "unusual
sculpture" and said the Habermann prize is "a great idea".
Henceforth the prize will honour international persons or groups that
promote new directions in metal design over an extended period of time with
outstanding ideas and works, effectively present the blacksmith's art to the
public or explore new development potential.
The IFGS has established the following criteria to award the
"Professor-Alfred-Habermann Prize":
The prize is awarded internationally. It is intended to create an incentive
for the honoured person or group to continue down their chosen path, and
encourage others to follow in their footsteps. The prize does not include a
monetary award. In order to continue documenting the continuity and
international solidarity of the fellowship of blacksmiths in the future, the
prize is normally awarded every two years.
The laureate is asked to freely design and create an award for the next
recipient, and to present this to the laureate at the next awards ceremony.
This approach is intended to strengthen the cohesiveness and creative power
of the metal design trade - it is a handshake between colleagues, between
the past, present and future.

Text: Peter Elgaß, Thede Wilts (Verlag HEPHAISTOS)

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