Exhibition view. Photo: Dennis Bangert
Born 1948 in Zurich, Switzerland, Otto Künzli is widely considered to be “one of the most intelligent makers in the jewelry world and also one of the most sceptical.” (Ralph Turner).
He has revolutionized modern jewelry art. In the 45-odd years in which he has been addressing the topic of jewelry, Otto Künzli has carved out for himself a quite unique position of far-reaching international influence not only as an artist and a pioneer, but also as an author and mentor. Otto Künzli’s works are based on complex reflection, conceptual and visual imagination. The result: objects with a clear, minimalist appearance, captivatingly crafted to perfection, and highly visible – jewelry that adorns and at the same time possesses an autonomous aesthetic status of its own.
The exhibition of Die Neue Sammlung – The International Design Museum Munich – will premier in the Schaustelle of Pinakothek der Moderne, and is being realized in close cooperation with the artist. It includes around 150-200 objects and groups of objects from the artist’s various creative phases. This not only includes the jewelry items but also interdisciplinary conceptual works in the areas of photography and installation. By looking back, providing future perspectives and considering where jewelry stands today, the exhibition is essentially the first retrospective of Otto Künzli’s highly diverse work.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a comprehensive monograph. Ed. Florian Hufnagl, Die Neue Sammlung – The International Design Museum Munich. With contributions by Jacqueline Burckhardt, senior editor Parkett, Zurich/New York, Prof. Walter Grasskamp, Academy of Fine Arts Munich, Dr. Pravu Matzumdar, philosopher, Dr. Ellen Maurer Zilioli, art historian, Brescia, Italy, among others. Ca. 680 pages. German edition / English edition. Arnoldsche Art Publishers. Design: Frederik Linke.
Supported by Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and Danner Foundation, Munich
Further exhibition stops are planned, including the MUDAC Musée de design et d’arts appliqués contemporains, Lausanne (2014); Metropolitan Teien Art Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo (2015).
Exhibition | Munich | Schaustelle | 9 March – 7 April 2013
Open 9 + 10 March 10:00-18:00 | As of 13 March 12:00-20:00