Ashanti Casting. Summer Class with Moritz Ganzoni and Silke Spitzer

The jewellery studio and garden of Silke Spitzer will provide inspiration and all the space we need to focus on our work. With Moritz Ganzoni's help, experience and with very minimal tools, we will make magical jewellery pieces or small sculptural objects. Wind, earth, fire and water will be the main ingredients for the outcome.

The class provides a detailed introduction to the Ashanti Casting technique, Casting solid and Hollow pieces:

• How to build cores and waxes.
• Covering the wax models with an ash-clay mixture to prepare for casting.
• Melting the wax from the casting shapes.
• Casting the pieces in a woodfired oven.
• Hand out on paper / USB flash Drive.
• Recipies and construction plan for the oven and the bellows.

Dates: From Sunday July 16th 2023 at 10 a.m. to Sunday 23rd 2023 at 1 p.m.
Costs: 1100 € incl. 19% tax and all general materials.
Additional costs for bronze or precious metals will be charged by use.
Accommodation and meals are not included.
Registration and reservation by a downpayment of half the course fee.
The complete fee is due May 23, 2023.
Deadline to sign up: 30th April 2023
Singning in & information: info@silkespitzer.de
Website: www.silkespitzer.de


Silke's studio is located in Lanke, in the northeastern countryside of Berlin about a 30 minutes drive from Berlin Alexanderplatz. There are three lakes within walking distance to cool off. The huge garden on the backside of the building with its big trees is perfect to find some shade on hot summer days. The use of the studio and garden will be possible at any time. As the class will unfold at its own speed, we will adapt class times and most likely do some casting at night.
Holiday apartments or a hotel are nearby.


Moritz Ganzoni 
The artist first encountered the Ashanti casting technique in 1984 through Max Fröhlich's publication Das Gold in der Kunst Westafrikas. Fascinated by the inspiring description, he tried to reproduce this casting technique.
After initial difficulties with the realization, he contacted Max Fröhlich. Thanks to his advice, he succeeded in making the first pieces. A long-lasting friendship developed through joint casting experiments and an enduring passion for this technique.
Website: www.moritz-ganzoni.ch


Silke Spitzer - Organisation & Teaching Assistent
Spitzer got to know Moritz as a jewellery student in 1999, joining a summer class in an Ashanti technique where he was the technical assistant. Working as an independent artist for more than 20 years now, she always imagined organizing an Ashanti casting class with Moritz. Living in a farm-like building in the countryside northeast of Berlin, her place provides lots of light, air and peace to focus on your work and be inspired by your colleagues.
Website: www.silkespitzer.de