How does contemporary craft position itself in an age of mass production and technological development? For nearly three decades, the »Werkstattkultur« initiative has been exploring this question, highlighting how craft and design enrich one another. As part of Design Month Graz 2025, the exhibition On the Beauty of the Everyday presents contemporary handmade objects that are not only useful but also embody high levels of aesthetic and artisanal quality.

Craftsmanship as cultural identity

Craft has always been a fundamental part of cultural identity – combining the practical with the aesthetic to create enduring and meaningful objects. While industrial manufacturing often focuses on speed and short-term consumption, craftsmanship stands for quality, sustainability, and a thoughtful engagement with material and form.

This exhibition brings these values to life, showing how handmade everyday objects are not only functional but also possess cultural and aesthetic depth. It becomes clear that design and craft are not opposites – on the contrary: craft contributes authenticity and material understanding, while design offers innovation and a contemporary design language.

Sustainability and human creativity

A core principle of »Werkstattkultur« is the conscious use of resources. The exhibition addresses the longevity of handmade products, the reuse of materials, and environmentally friendly production processes. In a time when artificial intelligence is making inroads into creative domains, the individual signature of craftsmanship remains an irreplaceable expression of human creativity. The featured objects show that the emotional and cultural impact of handmade work cannot be replicated by algorithms.

This exhibition, part of Design Month Graz 2025, invites visitors to explore these questions through a selection of unique, handcrafted objects – a statement in favour of valuing craftsmanship as a living, contemporary cultural asset in the age of artificial intelligence.

Glass Objects with Character – Cornelius Réer

As part of the exhibition, the glassmaker Cornelius Réer will be presented. Working from his studio in Nuremberg, he creates everyday glass objects – defined by clarity of form, subtle use of colour, and functionality. The vessels in his »pool« series combine tactile sophistication with poetic depth: the gently rippled surface evokes water, while the asymmetric design invites active engagement with the object. Réer produces in small series and places particular emphasis on precision, individuality, and the fusion of traditional glassmaking techniques with contemporary design. Each piece is not only a utilitarian object, but also an expression of a conscious design approach – clear, pared down, yet full of sensuality.

More information and a first glimpse of the exhibition content can be found on the Instagram account @werkstatt_kultur.