The Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur 1746 is the second oldest manufactory in Germany. Since time immemorial, the manufactory has distinguished itself through excellent quality and top-quality work - and with great success. Nevertheless, the focus is not only on the traditional past, but also on the future - more precisely, on a sustainable future. In the HPM Store in Frankfurt's new Altstatdt, exclusive porcelains developed by students of the Hochschule für Gestaltung (HfG) Offenbach are now on display (and available for purchase). These creations prove that porcelains can be young, original and refreshing and at the same time sustainable.
At the presentation of the creations, Mario Effenberger, Sales and Artistic Director of Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur 1746, was convinced: "These porcelains capture the zeitgeist of the beginning decade." It was Effenberger who initiated the cooperation with the HfG about a year ago. He is enthusiastic about the result and hopes that this will also be the case for visitors to the HPM store. "We are curious about the demand from customers," says Mario Effenberger.
For the nine students from the HfG, things could get even better, as some of the objects could potentially be suitable for series production and will be included in the range of the traditional Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur 1746. "Just to be considered for a porcelain range is the accolade for a designer. In addition to aesthetics, porcelain has a function to fulfil and must also meet commercial criteria," says Effenberger.
Leading the project at HfG Offenbach was lecturer Merja Herzog-Hellstén, who heads the "Art Laboratory" there. She evaluates the successful cooperation with the Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur as follows: "Through collaborations such as this one between the Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach and Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur, Frankfurt, the students gained valuable insights and experience about procedures and criteria that play a role in the independent design industry. Starting from deepening artistic and design skills, which required several semesters of practical training in the HfG ceramics workshop Labor Kunst, the students accepted the offer of the Höchster Porzellan-Manufaktur with curiosity to create individual forms for production in a manufactory. In doing so, they combined their acquired knowledge from several disciplines within the university, from both art and design departments, and present themselves with results that truly allow them to be described as form creators."
The nine students Inkeri Aaltio, Felicithas Arndt, Rosalina Brenner, Diane Häfner, Julia Huisken, Franziska Kronmüller, Mary Manalo, Simon Martin and Petra Metzner created sensual and organic porcelains. In doing so, they handled the material porcelain with care and examined its relevance for society and the environment. The result is porcelain that points to a sustainable future. If you want to see this for yourself, you should definitely stop by the Höchster Porzellan Manufaktur 1746 Concept Store in Frankfurt's Old Town (Markt 36, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Mon - Sat 10 am - 6 pm).
For more information, visit www.hoechster-porzellan.de
