Vienna Design Week Passionswege 2012: Matylda Krzykowski @ Norbert Meier Brushmaker and Petz Horn Manufacturer

Do we need to repeat why we are such committed fans of the annual Vienna Design Week Passionswege programme?

We hope not.

But if we do, Matylda Krzykowski @ Norbert Meier Brushmaker and Petz Horn Manufacturer provides the perfect answer.

Norbert Meier has been making brushes of all shapes and functions since 1973.

And his workshop looks like it. Not that that is a criticism. It’s lovely to see.

For Passionswege 2012 the Dutch/German designer/curator/journalist/good egg Matylda Krzykowski worked with Norber Meier to develop a series of new products in co-operation with the horn craftsman Thomas Petz.

A co-operation that is more than pure business.

Norbert Meier is the last brushmaker in Vienna. When in a couple of years he retires there will be no brushmakers in Vienna.

Is that important? Is that something we should be concerned about?

We think so, because when traditional crafts die out knowledge and information about materials and processes are lost. Even in our modern internet age.

That it needn’t be so is shown by Thomas Petz, a young man who learned the noble craft of horn manufacturer from his grandad – who was Vienna’s last horn craftsman before he retired. His grandson has now has revived a trade that was dead.

And through Matylda a co-operation with brushmaker Maier with whom his grandfather previously co-operated.

Back in the day. When horn brushes were the height of civility.

The products created by Matylda are unlikely to rekindle flames of such glory, but they are cheeky, fresh products that bring more life and personality to the horn brush than certainly we thought possible.

And they beautifully illustrate one of the main functions of the Passionswege programme – bringing young talent into contact with seasoned professionals and seeing what arises.

The highlights for us are the make-up brush, which with its mix of squirrel and pony hair in a  horn tip is a piece of Gothic poetry as good as anything Robert Browning could have composed, and we were also especially taken with the little dustpan to accompany the table brush:  A wonderful horn set suitable for any modern home.

But of course if you’d like one, you’ve got to be quick.

In 2014  Norber Maier brushes off, as it were.

Vienna Design Week Passionswege 2012: Matylda Krzykowski @ Norbert Meier Brushmaker and Petz Horn Manufacturer

The make-up brush

Norbert Meier - Vienna's last professional brushmaker