Frankfurt am Main. Ambiente is the world's largest exhibition of tableware, accessories and decorative elements.

Passing the gallery

Materials prepared: Dilara Muradova

Magazine: N5 (72) 2003

It was supposed that now we should take more breaks to “properly spoil ourselves” to choose from: a snack from a healthy sandwich at 18.30, a champagne picnic at 17.00, a light breakfast in the car or bus on the way to work and other little joys of life. The concept determined the choice of dishes - mobile, functional and easy to use. The general mood was expressed by the curator of the exhibition Eva Barth-Gillhaus: "If this is fast food, then at least on a beautiful plate!" Comments are unnecessary.Animation It is not clear what was the reason. Nostalgic childhood memories, fashion for all frivolous or commercial success of KOZIOL, made on such ridiculous little things. Only for some reason this year, without saying a word, the designers presented objects that seemed to have escaped from cartoons. With animation, they are related, in fact, by the following: some sketchiness, aggravating the main characteristics of the object, mainly bright colors and highly controversial functionality. If the need for piggy banks, vases and bottle caps can somehow be explained, then cakes, cars and figures can only cause bewilderment in a reasonable and strict person. However, this only proves once again the fact that serious people are now in the minority.New hedonism They know not only in the kitchen, but also in literature. They understand art and love to travel - with equal interest in different times and countries. For new followers of hedonism, luxury is a concept that is as daily as grace and functionalism. Its visible manifestations: porcelain paintings - in a couple of services with the same pattern. As well as elegant cups with gold handles, which have an interesting feature - the ability to "dance", while they do not pour coffee. And exotic trinkets, refined impeccable taste and expensive materials, including first-class porcelain, gold, leather and silver. Literary gourmet designers offer to enjoy the thoughts of the great writers of the past on the subject of food on the cutlery "Real Lyrics" (WMF) or love confessions on cups, trays and frames from the collection of J'adore Dior (CHRISTIAN DIOR).Outer space Macro and microcosm, the game of shadows and light, the depths of the sea and space ships - this is a new passion of designers. They embody their thoughts on the questions of the universe in amazing objects made of glass, transparent and colored. Interpretations are obviously exaggerated: the rays of light "burn out" the shadows on the surface of the vases, the balls acquire spikes, and under the transparent glass layer, creating the effect of either water or the atmosphere, fantastic living creatures swarm. As you know, the study of the mysteries of the universe is not cheap. Perhaps that is why next to the name of a famous designer on "space" objects almost always stands the inscription: Limited edition.Just a circus It is hardly possible to catch the moment when clowns first appeared in collections. But their invasion became apparent now, when the manufacturing companies presented not individual items, but entire circus series. The most notable of them - in LALIQUE and LLADRO. The first showed at the Ambiente exhibition of circus artists in crystal and sweet versions. The second is a collection of sad porcelain clowns. The ramp lights on the RITZENHOFF paperweight, DAUM animals, Hoya harlequins and even Andy Warhol shoes from the Rosenthal Studio-line Christmas series easily fit into the trend. And now from the lions and elephants, gymnasts and clowns there is no passage. What is this: evidence of universal infantilization or successful promotion of the circus? Until the answer is found, we can recall childhood.