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Gaffel Glass Design Award 2024

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Since 2012, students of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) have been designing a Kölsch glass exclusively for ART COLOGNE. For this competition, the Cologne-based private brewery Gaffel donates prize money of 1,111 euros every year. In addition, the winning design will be produced in a limited edition.

The exclusive Kölsch glass, which features an additional relief print for the first time, will be produced in an edition of 1,500 and will be used in selected Cologne restaurants. The special edition can also be ordered in the Gaffel Shop .

Here you can find the brochure of the ART COLOGNE Gaffel Kölsch glass edition with all glasses of the last 13 years.

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1st place: Thea Kleinhempel

Design: Thea Kleinhempel, Photo: Ben Hammer

“Drink, live beautifully” is written in a raised pink inscription above a blue-green lattice-like ornament, crowned by a golden yellow border. In her artistic concept for the Kölschglas 2024 edition, Thea Kleinhempel quotes the famous Cologne Diatret glass, a Roman burial object from the 4th century, which was found during construction work in Cologne-Braunsfeld in the 1960s and can now be admired as an outstanding treasure in the collection of the Roman-Germanic Museum. As a tribute to the precious model - and congratulations to the museum that houses it, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2024 - the Kölsch glass edition is elaborately decorated with an additional relief print for the first time. Both a work of art and an everyday object, the object's clear instructions make us reflect on existential themes: “Drink, live beautifully.” What is a “beautiful” and meaningful life? This existential question touches on fundamental social and cultural aspects of the human lifestyle and how it is shaped. The aesthetically successful life is realized in the social process of sharing and appreciating the resources necessary for it. We raise a glass to this.

Thea Kleinhempel studied Communication Design (BA) at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle from 2015 to 2019; since 2023 postgraduate studies in Media Arts at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne.

IG: @theosik

Design: Thea Kleinhempel, Photo: Ben Hammer
Design: Thea Kleinhempel, Photo: Ben Hammer
Design: Thea Kleinhempel, Photo: Ben Hammer
Design: Thea Kleinhempel, Photo: Ben Hammer

Thea Kleinhempels design

Collection of ART COLOGNE Kölsch glasses

Since 2012, students of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne (KHM) have been designing a Kölsch glass exclusively for ART COLOGNE.

Cologne Diaret glass

A roman burial object from the 4th century, found during construction work in Cologne-Braunsfeld in the 1960s.

“Thea Kleinhempels' design shows in an outstanding way how young artists can creatively reinterpret historical traditions. Promoting young talent is an important concern for us at ART COLOGNE, and our long-standing collaboration with Gaffel enables us to successfully continue this artistic competition year after year and provide innovative impetus for the future of art.”

Daniel Hug
Director und künstlerischer Leiter der ART COLOGNE

"In the meantime, the works have aroused desire among long-time companions of ART COLOGNE, but also among many Gaffel fans, and have become collectors' items. Every year we receive a large number of exciting entries in the competition."

Sebastian Lenninghausen, Product manager
Privatbrauerei Gaffel

When and where?

Award ceremony of the Gaffel Kölsch glass edition at Art Cologne

Saturday, November 9, 2024, 4 p.m., Kölnmesse, TALKS LOUNGE, Hall 11.1

Other award ceremonies

ART COLOGNE Prize