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bregenzerwald werkraum
werkraum depot in Schwarzenberg
A festival week with an exhibition of artistic innovations, architectural delights, culinary offers, international guests – for the past decade, life in the Bregenzerwald has been richer by a major attraction. Every three years, the werkraum invites people to “Handwerk + Form”(next held in 2012). All this arises voluntarily: a provisional building is provided free of charge, the efforts put in by the countless team members clearly increase, to culminate in the presentation of prizes (the actual reason behind the whole thing) at a major party lasting a week and featuring an exhibition. Each year the event attracts more and more visitors from near and far.
Recommended reading: “Eigen + sinnig, Der werkraum Bregenzerwald als ein Modell für ein neues Handwerk” (Bregenzer wald werkraum as a model for new craftsmanship), written by Florian Aicher and Renate Breuss (in German only)
Game and competition This is how the werkraum displays its mission: as part of a community, by means of teamwork, it accomplishes that which far extends beyond the strengths of its individual members. And it encourages competition, challenges entrants to perform their very best. Objects created in the members’ workshops according to their own design or in conjunction with external designers are judged. The close relationship with the architects (→ page 66) is allowed to develop. Furniture, clothing, components – they must have a practical use, be proof of the highest level of craftsmanship and exemplary design. Since its establishment in 1999, the competition has been the core of the registered society. Almost 100 firms are members, mainly involved in wood processing, such as joiners and carpenters, but there is also a handful of locksmiths, stonemasons, bricklayers, fitters, electricians, painters, upholsterers, textile processors and cobblers through to the exotic such as coppers and wood carvers. Most of the firms have up to