As part of the European Days of Arts and Crafts (ETAK), the Art of Making exhibition brings together craftspeople from Berlin and Paris. The temporary exhibition, which will appear in both cities in different formats, showcases the broad spectrum of technical craftsmanship and inventiveness, and provides a comprehensive survey of contemporary arts and crafts in both locations. From eccentric pieces of furniture and intricate items of jewellery to artfully designed ceramics, the diversity of the featured exhibits is testament to the fact that true craftsmanship extends far beyond a simple appreciation for tradition.

Since 1980, the cities of Paris and Berlin have been joined by a Handwerkskammer partnership, which has reinforced Franco-German amity and the sense of a common European identity. In this same spirit, the Handwerkskammer Berlin is organising the exhibition The Art of Making 2025: Arts, Crafts and Design from Paris and Berlin in cooperation with the Chambre de métiers et de l’artisanat Île-de-France (Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Crafts) and the Kunstgewerbemuseum of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. The project aims to share and foster valuable knowledge of a wealth of handcrafts and manual skills, to provide fresh momentum and to promote a sense of mutual inspiration and exchange.

Arts and Crafts Competition Honours Exceptional Works

In Paris, 39 objects from a range of disciplines including jewellery, fashion and sculpture were selected for exhibition; in Berlin, a competition was conducted between 1 July and 30 September 2024 in which artisans from all fields took part. A total of 28 works were selected by the jury to be presented in the exhibition.

Prizewinners

Anastasiya Koshcheeva won the Crafts & Design 2024 – Landespreis Kunsthandwerk Berlin competition for her innovative chair made of Birch bark. The three-dimensional woven design pushes the material to its limits while combining traditional craft techniques with modern design. Functionality, sustainability and a symbiosis of craftsmanship and design were the focus of the chair’s nearly three-year development process.

For her amber and silver brooches, Miriam Arentz shared second place with Gabriele Hinze, who also designs brooches. Third place was awarded to Bernhard Deutz for a wheel of sound and to Anna Badur, who produced a gaiwan-style bisque porcelain tea set. The advancement award was presented to Martina Dimitrova and Marc Roman Page to foster their emerging talents.

The Berliner Volksbank is generously supporting the competition by providing a total of €15,000 in prize money. The project’s patron is Joe Chialo, Berlin’s State Minister for Culture and Social Cohesion.

A special exhibition organised by the Handwerkskammer Berlin in cooperation with the Chambre de métiers et de l’artisanat Île de France and the Kunstgewerbemuseum – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin