OPENING
Vienna, 14 September 2023 - Gmundner Keramik opens its newest store on 300 m2 in the Austrian capital. Masterful craftsmanship and art come together in the world of Gmundner Keramik. In addition to the popular classics, Gmundner also presents the lines inspired by the African continent and the new Salzkammergut ceramics. The first new works and pieces created as part of the Academy of Ceramics Gmunden will be presented under the 'Wiener Keramik' brand.
In the centre of the 8th district, in the historic vaults of the Beethovenhaus, the Gmunden Ceramics World was officially opened today. These venerable premises serve as a stage to present the many facets of the company. In addition to the shop, where the complete range of unique handmade items from Gmunden are on display for purchase, visitors have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fascinating craftsmanship behind the ceramic works. In addition, the lounge at the Gmunden Lodge in Namibia invites visitors to embark on a spiritual journey to distant Africa.
Markus Friesacher, the owner of Gmundner Keramik, emphasises: "With this project, we want to show what else the world of Gmundner Keramik has to offer in addition to its unique craftsmanship. The beginning of a new era!"
For all those who would like to become active themselves, the world of Gmundner Keramik also offers workshops for painting ceramics with individual motifs or pottery courses under the guidance of experts.
GMUNDNER CERAMICS MANUFACTORY
Over 500 years of ceramic tradition characterise Gmundner Keramik in the Salzkammergut. From the first stove works to the unmistakable decorative technique of flaming, this traditional craft has developed continuously. In the 17th century, people in Gmunden began to paint the white ceramics with stylised flowers and abstract patterns in a very special way in green. This was the birth of flaming. Since 2021, the technique of flaming has been a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.
Discover the intangible cultural heritage →
REUSE IN ALL STAGES OF PRODUCTION
Broken raw materials are 100% reused & recycled. All clay cuttings, remnants or imperfect moulds are given a new chance and returned to the production process. All undecorated and fired pieces that do not meet the high quality standards are crushed and used for insulation in façade insulation. All plaster moulds, which are necessary for shaping and are also made by hand, are also given a new task. After around 60 uses each, they are sent to cement works for further processing.
As 100% of the production takes place in Gmunden, no transport routes are required as part of the production process.
FOR THE SAKE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, THE REGION & THE CULTURE:
This philosophy has been preserved for centuries and is continued in Gmunden with a great deal of commitment and love for craftsmanship. Sustainability does not end with production. The location in Gmunden also ensures sustainable job security in the region. This contributes to sustainable regional development. The traditional craft of flaming is also preserved for future generations.
It is the manual labour that makes Gmunden ceramics so valuable.
NEW MOTIFS OF THE AFRICA EDITION & THE ELEPHANT TEAPOT
His deep personal connection to Africa has already inspired the owner to expand the Africa Edition range in the past. The speciality of this collection is reflected in its naturalness. Each individual piece is hand-painted in earthy tones, with the natural colour of the clay left intact and only glazed transparently. From now on, enthusiasts can look forward to new motifs in this extraordinary edition.
An unforgettable touch of luxury in the middle of the Namibian wilderness. From elegant zebras and majestic lions to mighty elephants, graceful leopards and impressive giraffes - all these fascinating animals have now been added to the Africa edition. The new motifs, skilfully depicted on jugs and plates, enable an impressive encounter with the breathtaking wilderness of Namibia in your own home.
A special historical design piece is being reissued with the expansion of the Africa Edition. The elephant teapot, a real eye-catcher in any table setting, the iconic teapot fits into the Africa Edition of Gmundner Keramik. The earthy colour palette and the natural base colour create a harmonious unity, allowing the teapot to be effortlessly combined with the diverse pieces of the Africa Edition.
An art & aid project in Namibia
SAN EDITION
In addition to the Africa Edition, the art of the San is also reflected on the ceramics from Gmunden. Lodge owner Markus Friesacher knows the history and fate of the San, a collective term for several indigenous ethnic groups in southern Africa, and actively supports them. The high artistic skills of the artists in Donkerbos led to the idea of creating a Namibia ceramics edition in 2022. The result was a unique project: in several workshops in the Kalahari, San artists from the Donkerbos and Drimiopsis settlements created a series of designs on paper. These were then selected and brought to perfection on site using original Gmundner Keramik colours. It was the beginning of a collaboration that provides the San with a livelihood and takes the artistic programme of Gmundner Keramik to another high point. In the last workshop on site, unique works of art were once again created, which can be purchased as part of the Gmundner Welt art exhibition in Vienna.
THE GMUNDNER LODGE IN NAMIBIA
Driven by a spirit of innovation and a deep respect for centuries-old traditions and craftsmanship, the company continued to expand last year and now also offers unique travel experiences with the Gmundner Lodge in Namibia.
A true hideaway has been created on more than 300 hectares, representing a new era of unrivalled luxury in the wilderness with newly designed guest experiences that combine adventure and wellness in equal measure: In the SPA area, an experienced team provides deep relaxation before adventurers go on safari with experienced rangers to experience giraffes, zebras and many other animals up close. After the safari, guests at the lodge can look forward to e-motocross, horse riding, tennis, clay pigeon shooting, longbow shooting or painting in the lodge's own ceramics room. The Gmundner Lodge offers its guests a unique ALL-EMBRACING experience, which includes culinary, wildlife, adventure and wellness services.
The Gmundner Lodge team is particularly proud of its own farm, which is based on the principle of sustainable agriculture and provides the lodge's cuisine with fresh, high-quality organic produce. The lodge is proudly run by locals who use their knowledge of Namibia to facilitate a cultural exchange with visitors.
ART & ACADEMY OF CERAMICS
With the Academy of Ceramics Gmunden, a project was launched together with OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH to revitalise the collaboration between Gmunden ceramics and contemporary international artists.
"With the AoCG and our innovative programme, Gmundner Keramik proves that tradition and innovation are not a contradiction in terms. This takes our commitment to traditional craftsmanship into a new era," explains authorised signatory Alexander Köck.
The company has cultivated its love of art since 1909, when the foundations were laid at the current Gmundner Keramik site with the "Künstlerische Werkstätte Franz und Emilie Schleiss". This dedication became world-famous through the merger with the Wiener Werkstätten as "Wiener Keramik" and still characterises the special flair of the company today.
"For us, it's not just about sharing our development department and painting with international artists. We also endeavour to promote ecological and sustainable action in cooperation with the San People. This should be an integral part of our corporate philosophy and have a positive impact on our customers," explains Alexander Köck.
The Academy of Ceramics Gmunden is characterised by tradition combined with the contemporary, the highest quality standards, the transfer of artistic and technical expertise, work stays and residencies for artists at Gmunden Ceramics, exhibitions and events, exchanges between employees, visitors and artists, and talks.
THE HISTORY OF VIENNESE CERAMICS
Wiener Keramik was founded in 1905 by the important Viennese sculptors Michael Powolny and Bertold Löffler and stands for the reorientation of artistic creation in Art Nouveau. In close cooperation with the famous Wiener Werkstätte, the ceramics manufactory created, among other things, brilliant works in black and white and intensely coloured works, which were sold in their exquisite showrooms in Vienna, New York, Berlin and Zurich.
Since this year, the Wiener Werkstätten logo has once again adorned selected objects created as part of the AoCG. One of the first pieces is the lidded vase by Leipzig ceramist Rosi Steinbach, who was a guest of the AoCG in 2022. The green and yellow flamed works are reminiscent of pineapple and cauliflower. Pieces from this edition can be seen and purchased in a very limited special edition in the Vienna shop.
SALZKAMMERGUT CERAMICS
Inspired by the design ideas of the renowned Group H at the Gmundner Keramik Manufaktur in the 1960s, we focus on a simple and clear design language that takes your table decoration to a new level. Our monochrome creations are timeless yet modern, a perfect expression of style and sophistication.
Our collection kicks off with a contemporary take on a series of tableware by Wolfgang von Wersin, an internationally renowned designer who worked for Group H in Gmunden. Wersin's characteristic design characterised the era from early modernism to the middle of the 20th century. Now we are bringing his unique vision into the present to fill your table with timeless beauty.
THE WORLD OF GMUNDNER CERAMICS
Auerspergstraße 3 (corner of Trautsongasse 2)
1080 Vienna
+43 (0) 7612 786-388
Opening hours: MO - FR 9 am - 6 pm & SA 9 am - 3 pm
