Danner Prize 2020. 100 Years of Support to Bavaria's Outstanding Arts and Crafts by the Danner Foundation

Founded in Munich in 1920, the Danner-Stiftung is one of the most well-respected institutions for the promotion of arts and crafts in Europe and has been presenting the internationally renowned Danner Prize since 1984. The 2020 recipient is Bettina Dittlmann, distinguished for her magnet brooch Wohin (Whereto).

The jewellery artist’s brooches and pendants are delicate sculptures: large magnets serve as a base for a bouquet of poor materials such as cinder, iron dust, or iron wire. Ordered or chaotic, amplified or reduced, it is the wearers - and chance - that decide each time how the jewellery piece is presented. The finest of pigments lend the pieces an intense coloration, bringing a luminous quality to
the assemblages.

Bettina Dittlmann brings form to her objects without expressing it definitively. This radical commitment to renewal, involvement, and change gives her work a societal and political relevance, summarises Angelika Nollert, director of the Neue Sammlung.

Alongside Bettina Dittlmann, the publication presents the four winners of the Danner honorary awards: sculptural ceramicist Petra Bittl, Otto Baier with his objects forged in titanium, Peter Bauhuis and his hybrid chain sculptures, and Paul Müller with his minimalistic candleholders. Thirty-four works of varying crafts - from fascinating works in glass to traditional straw wickerwork - are a testament to the diversity and high quality of the submissions.

For the very first time, the contemporary works are set in context alongside highlights of the foundation's own collection, complemented with precious items by the Royal Bavarian court goldsmith Karl Rothmüller, who was once a key supporter of the foundation’s inception. An exciting cross-section of avant-garde applied arts from Bavaria.

This publication follows the exhibition Danner Prize 2020. 100 years Danner Foundation at Die Neue Sammlung - The Design Museum open for visitation until 11 Apr.


About the Awardees
Danner Prize 2020 - Bettina Dittlmann
The artist was born in 1964, Passau. From 1983 to 1986, she had a Silversmith apprenticeship at the Staatliche Berufsfachschule für Glas und Schmuck Kaufbeuren-Neugablonz. From 1987 to 1989, studied at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Munich, Prof Hermann Jünger, jewelry and hollowware class. From 1989 to 1991, studied at the State University of New York in New Paltz, the USA under Prof Jamie Bennett and Prof Fred Woell, Metalsmithing. Master of Arts. From 1991 to 1993, studied at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Munich under Prof Otto Künzli, jewelry and hollowware class. Diploma. In 1998, a collaboration with Michael Jank. From 1999 to 2000, visiting professor at the State University of Oregon in Eugene, USA. Since 2008 workshop in Breitenbach, Lower Bavaria.

Honorary Danner Prize 2020 - Otto Baier
The artist was born in 1943, Munich. He is trained as a smith. From 1965 to 1968, studied at the Fachhochschule Aachen. In 1968, state examination as a graduate designer, Master’s exam. An independent smith in Munich since 1972.

Honorary Danner Prize 2020 - Peter Bauhuis
The artist was born in 1965, Friedrichshafen. From 1986 to 1990, at the Staatliche Zeichenakademie Hanau, had his training as a goldsmith. From 1993 to 1999, studied at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Munich, jewelry and hollowware class, Prof Otto Künzli. Studio in Munich since 1999.

Honorary Danner Prize 2020 - Petra Bittl
The artist was born in 1970, Schwabach, Mittelfranken. From 1991 to 1994, trained as a ceramicist at the Staatliche Berufsfachschule für Keramik, Landshut. From 1995 to 1998, further education and qualification as State Examined Ceramic Designer at the Fachschule Keramik, Höhr- Grenzhausen. From 1998 to 2002, studied in Liberal Art with a diploma in Liberal Art/Ceramics at the Hochschule Koblenz, Institut für Künstlerische Keramik und Glas, Höhr-Grenzhausen. From 2010 to 2014 Evening classes in Media Design with qualification as State Examined Media Designer at the Heinrich-Hertz-Europa kolleg of the City of Bonn. From 2015 to 2017, studied in Liberal Art with a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture at the Alanus Hochschule für Kunst und Gesellschaft, Alfter. Since 2013 extra-occupational teaching activity at the Fachschule Keramik, Höhr-Grenzhausen.

Honorary Danner Prize 2020 - Paul Müller
The artist was born in 1956, Thannhausen/Swabia. From 1972 to 1975 was a Goldsmith apprenticeship in Augsburg. From 1975 to 1976, Fachoberschule für Gestaltung in Augsburg, and during 1978 - 1981 was employed as a goldsmith in Augsburg. From 1981 to 1988, studied at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Nuremberg under Prof Erhard Hößle, gold and silversmithing class, master student, diploma. Own studio in Nuremberg since 1988. From 1990 to 1992, was a lecturer at the Werkbundwerkstatt, Nuremberg. In 1993 and 1994, worked as project manager Modellversuch für Schmiede, Akademie für Gestaltung und Restaurierung im Handwerk of the Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria. From 1995 to 2011, was the course director of the Überbetriebliche Lehrlingsunterweisung (intercompany apprenticeship training), metalworker/design, Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria. Since 1996, member of the Forum für angewandte Kunst, Nürnberg e.V., and from 1998 to 2001, was a lecturer in blueprint and design, Akademie für Gestaltung im Handwerk, Munich.