Passagen Cologne 2014: Alle Metalle / All Metal

Revolutions in design and architecture invariably involve a new material. The oldest examples of this phenomenon being found in the context of metals: the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.

And in the 6000 years since man first learnt to mix tin and copper the fascination for and desire to work with metal remains as primordial as ever.

To celebrate the variety and durability of metal in design Frankfurt based Trademark Publishing recently released “Objects: Alle Metalle” an homage to classic and modern designs realised in precious and non-ferrous metals. Passagen Cologne 2014 is hosting the exhibition to the book.

Featuring a mix of furniture, lighting, accessories and decorative objects Alle Metalle / All Metal presents not only a nice overview of the myriad ways metal has been used in 20th century design, but also provides an insight into how metal obviously continues to inspire and drive the creative process: Poul Henningsen‘s Artichoke Lamp for Louis PoulsenSebastian Herkner‘s Bell Side Table and Bell Coffee Table for ClassiCon, Kai Linke’s Cosmo lamp, Tom Dixon’s Etch Lamp shade, Robert Dudley’s Bestlight through Gubi, CM05 HABIBI by Philipp Mainzer for e15. We could go on. And on.

The exhibition layout is based somewhat on the Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe concept, in that there doesn’t appear to be any organised layout or link between neighbouring objects, but that in no way distracts from the pleasure of the show, and ultimately as with Curiosity Shoppes the real satisfaction is often in the unexpected discoveries one makes during the searching.

Alle Metalle / All Metal runs at Bayenstrasse 65, 5th floor, 50678 Cologne until Sunday January 19th 2014.

For all who can’t make it to the exhibition full details on the book “Objects: Alle Metalle” can be found at www.trademarkpublishing.de [Info only in German.]

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