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Bauhaus forms, Keramic Museum, Berlin.

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Berlin / Continued from Page 5

Founded in 1990, the museum only opened its doors to the publicin 2004, after being awarded its home in an historic building constructed in 1712 and located in the Berlin district of Charlottenburg. The collection focuses primarily on German-influenced ceramics from the 19th and 20th century and includes vessels, sculptures, architectural ceramics and stove tiles. I found the display of Bauhaus-influenced work most interesting—my eyes were immediately drawn to the clean lines and forms and the clear functional aspects of the work.

Attached to the museum is the Galerie Theis-Keramik where you can find contemporary ceramics by more than 25 artists. The gallery holds two major exhibits per year. Immediately I entered the gallery, I recognized the forms on display! Right now you can see an amazing exhibition of five famous German artists: Beate Kuhn, Karl Scheid, Ursula Scheid, Gerald Weigel and Gotlind Weigel. These artists are some of Germany's most renowned potters and were pioneers of the German studio craft movement. They have played an important part in the German ceramic art scene since the late 1950s

In 1969, these artists participated in the first exhibition of German potters in England since WWII. The work was very different from that of Bernard Leach whose influence reigned in England at that time. After this historic event, the London Group, as they came to be known, formed a cooperative. They exhibited off and on together throughout the world. You can find examples of their work in many ceramic reference books. I felt truly lucky to see their work up close and hold it in my hands.

If you happen to find yourself in Berlin check out these websites for information on location and hours of opening:

Museum: www. Keramik-museum-berlin.de

Gallery: www.galerietheis.de @

Saved from the shard pile...literally:

Guild Fundraising Sale By Jinny Whitehead

Our annual fundraising sale at the Lougheed Mall is scheduled for October 18 and 19. This is an important event for the Guild —it gives us that extra financial cushion that we need in this era of never-ending rising prices!

Please start putting aside a few of your tests, orphans, misfits, and seconds for this cause. Work will be priced to sell—mugs and bowls are particularly popular. I will announce regional collection points in September, but if it’s more convenient, you can drop off work in the gallery at any time or, if you are sending in stock for the gallery, you could throw in a couple of pieces for the fundraiser, just make sure they are clearly marked for the fundraiser.

‘This is a two-day event and we will need at least 16 volunteers to cover the half-day shifts. It is fun, and a chance to meet some of your fellow members.

Contact Jinny (vwhitehead@shaw.ca)if you have any questions or if you can help with the event.

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - July/August 2008 6