Designer Christa Ehrlich (1903-1995), who was born in Vienna, became well-known in the 1920s and ’30s for her striking, elegant silverware. In her twenties, she quickly made a name for herself in Vienna before moving to the so-called Zilverfabriek (Silver Factory) of Van Kempen, Begeer & Vos (K.N.E.B.) in Voorschoten. There she experimented with modernist design and the language of the machine, creating objects that offered a striking contrast to the classic silverware being produced at that time.
The spatial design follows the architectural structure of the building. The pedestals are placed in a grid, which follow the strucure of the ceiling. Therefore the whole exhitibion radiates tranquility and there is more focus on the silvercollection. All the silverware is displayed on mirrors. This gives more spatial depth to the displays.
The exhibition is divided into two immersive spaces. One spece exudes a Viennese atmosphere from the 1920’s. Colorfull and full of objects of the Wiener Werkstatte. The second room has a more mechanical appearance. Large projections show the often small silver objects and put more emphasis to the stunning details of the silver.
Credits
Concept, 2-d and 3-d design:
Bureau Caspar Conijn with Roderik van der Weijden
Curator
Annemieke Houben
AV
Hardcut
Graphic Producion
Riwicollotype
Christa Ehrlich
Pionier in design