Paul Zimmermann A.W.C.B. (born 1939) is a German blacksmith who created contemporary forge work. Zimmermann is considered one of the first German blacksmiths to move towards innovative and contemporary forms in the trade. Forms and shapes which he developed are now part of blacksmithing design education in Germany. [1] Zimmerman is the first non-British blacksmith to be awarded the title of Associate of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths (A.W.C.B.).
Paul Zimmermann was born in Pliezhausen, Germany in 1939, his parents being farmers during the beginning of World War II. Zimmermann started his traditional apprenticeship in 1953–1956 at an early age of 14. After his apprenticeship he won an award for gifted students and spent time in an intermediate study, partly abroad in Switzerland. In 1962 he qualified as a master craftsman after a year at Luisenschule, Munich. After 1962 Zimmermann taught in vocation institute in Munich. After 1963 Paul Zimmermann set up his own workshop, known as the Atelier Zimmermann in Pliezhausen. Throughout his active work time he demonstrated and lectured at several international blacksmith meetings. Zimmermann won several awards nationally and internationally. His work was displayed on Exhibitions in Germany, England, Finland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Russia, USA, Canada. [2] Permanently shown work of Paul Zimmermann is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Würth Museum Künzelsau, Germany and the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis.
Towards the beginning of his career, Paul Zimmermann focused on architectural blacksmithing. He pushed the idea of contemporary design in this traditional craft forward as an essential need for this craft to survive. He expressed his design philosophy often as "Shape is limitation – design is disclosure". [3] Today he is mostly recognized for his sculptural grave markers, done by commission. Some of his grave markers are displayed in the first sepulchral Museum in Kassel, Germany. Zimmermann has often said that "Memorial tablets are the last external sign we can leave to a person close to us – signs that permit remembrance and commune."
He continues to work after his retirement. Many apprentices have been working with him studying his philosophy and skills.
Collectors of Paul Zimmermanns work were:
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Richard Riemerschmid was a German architect, painter, designer and city planner from Munich. He was a major figure in Jugendstil, the German form of Art Nouveau, and a founder of architecture in the style. A founder member of both the Vereinigte Werkstätte für Kunst im Handwerk and the Deutscher Werkbund and the director of art and design institutions in Munich and Cologne, he prized craftsmanship but also pioneered machine production of artistically designed objects.
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