Project Zwiebelmuster | Antye Guenther

Interested in a sci-fi spy story? What are the interconnections between Japan and East Germany? Within PROJECT ZWIEBELMUSTER Antye Guenther unfolds various connections, utilising porcelain and the famous Blue Onion decor (or Zwiebelmuster) as guiding forces. The project deals with the illegal embargo trading for illegal technology transfer that took place between Japan and the former GDR in the 1970s and 1980s. It also looks at Meissen porcelain used as valuable gifts to smooth diplomatic and economic relations between the two states. Also learn more about the baroque Dresden Zwinger copied into typical South-Japanese landscape full of lushes rice fields.

Guenther channels the different research findings into developing a sci-fi spy narrative in which porcelain tableware of the Meissen Zwiebelmuster is not only used as payment for an involved Toshiba manager (as stated in the East German Secret Service files), but as a clandestine data carrier as well for highly sensitive, top secret information. During Museumnacht010 she will share  the stories behind the project, presenting the first new porcelain pieces in the making. The programme is supported by the Free State of Saxony as part of the ‘Simply Saxony’ campaign.

Artist presentation with Antye Guenther: 20:30 and 22:00 hrs.