A Virtual Walk Through Some of The Most Interesting Exhibitions in 2024. Klimt02 Editors' Picks.

Serie / Curating Exhibiting Collecting

Published: 14.01.2025

Klimt02

Although making choices is always difficult (and choosing is a statement), Klimt02 editors present a selection of the highlights from the 2024 exhibitions. These events stood out for their ability to captivate, inspire, and spark curiosity.

Thanks to their rich content, the creativity of the artists, and the clever use of scenography as an integral part of the device, these exhibitions once again remind us that contemporary jewellery must be regarded as a form of fine art.

Even though some are no longer able to visit physically, they remain accessible on Klimt02, where they have been carefully archived to continue being shared, consulted and discovered.

March 2024 was marked by Munich Schmuck Fair 2024, which we had the pleasure of attending. Among the many initiatives and exhibitions, some made an impact.
The retrospective Wearable Objects by Sigurd Bronger at the Pinakothek der Moderne showed how the Norwegian artist used a hundred mechanisms to raise the question: Does the beautiful really have to be useless and the practical aesthetically uninteresting?

The exhibitions Double Shadows by Mari Iwamoto and Zhipeng Wang, and Importable / M.A.Y.A by Marie-Caroline Locquet, demonstrated how well-designed scenography can enhance the concept and create a meaningful dialogue between the pieces and the artists' universes.

Modern Classic, where Georg Dobler was invited by the Internationale Handwerkmesse, once again showed the timeless modernity of his work. Meanwhile, The Professionals by Otto Künzli gave us the chance to discover his latest pieces, strengthening his reputation as a mBeyond thatajor figure in contemporary jewellery.

Furthermore, Benedict Haener's Im FoCus exhibition at Friends of Carlotta Gallery in Zurich also whetted our appetite. Combining humour and a touch of punk, Benedict's work highlights the importance of concept through the artist’s material exploration.

Two exhibitions curated by Charon Kransen also marked the year. The first, Wearing Red: Ignite the Fire at Patina Gallery, explores the colour red in all its forms through the interpretations of 50 artists. The second, Korea Now: Contemporary Jewelry from The Land of the Morning Calm, offers a fascinating overview of the contemporary jewellery scene in Korea today.

There were also unmissable exhibitions essential for navigating through the history of jewellery, digging into the stakes of contemporary jewellery, and discovering unique pieces from significant collections. Bracelets, Bangles & Cuffs: 1948-2024 at the Metal Museum in Memphis showcased a broad selection from Helen Drutt’s collection. Masterworks from the 80’s to 90’s curated a selection by Hannah Gallery from Maria Luisa Samaranch’s collection. And recently opened, the permanent exhibition The Fascination of Jewellery: 7000 Years of Jewellery Art at the MAKK (Museum of Applied Arts Cologne) offers an exceptional glimpse into the museum’s collection, featuring around 370 pieces ranging from Antiquity to nowadays.

All Cleared Out at the Pforzheim Jewellery Museum gave Sam Tho Duong carte blanche, bringing together ten renowned contemporary artists. Finally, Bernhard Schobinger's retrospective B.S. Kosmos: 50 Years of Creation at the Kunsthalle Friart in Fribourg confirmed once again the significance of this artist. With 50 years of creation behind him, his work has become a major reference in shaping the definition of contemporary jewellery.

To delve deeper, some of these exhibitions were accompanied by catalogues, which can be purchased through Klimt02:
Sigurd Bronger: Wearables
Masterworks from the 80s & 90s. A Curated Selection by Hannah Gallery from María Luisa Samaranch's Private Collection