Cast Iron from Central Europe, 1800-1850 was the first exhibition in the United States to explore the art of Central European cast iron. Featuring more than 200 decorative plaques, medallions, sculptures, as well as personal objects, like clocks, sewing implements, perfume bottles, and jewelry, it explored cast iron from a socioeconomic, political, and domestic perspective.
While major engineering and architectural works such as bridges and buildings have long been considered landmarks of the early industrial age, the exhibition focused instead on the ornamental objects often overlooked by scholars. In one section examining techniques of cast iron production, it showcased a casting tree from the Technical Museum in Vienna to illustrate the complex and delicate process of casting intricate works of jewelry out of iron.
On view at Bard Graduate Center from May 26–August 7, 1994, the exhibition was organized with MAK–Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna. It was curated by Elisabeth Schmuttermeier and Derek Ostergard.
While major engineering and architectural works such as bridges and buildings have long been considered landmarks of the early industrial age, the exhibition focused instead on the ornamental objects often overlooked by scholars. In one section examining techniques of cast iron production, it showcased a casting tree from the Technical Museum in Vienna to illustrate the complex and delicate process of casting intricate works of jewelry out of iron.
On view at Bard Graduate Center from May 26–August 7, 1994, the exhibition was organized with MAK–Austrian Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna. It was curated by Elisabeth Schmuttermeier and Derek Ostergard.
