Rings in Water 2024

The 12th edition of the international crafts-oriented design competition is a platform aimed at finding innovations inspired by traditional craft production. Organized by ÚĽUV since 2000, the competition’s  mission is to foster  dialogue on traditional values, their preservation and innovation in contemporary craft, applied art and design. It aims to explore possible intersections and encourage cooperation between artisans and professional designers.

Title of the exhibition: Rings in Water
Location: ÚĽUV Gallery, Obchodná 64, Bratislava
Duration: 14 November 2024 – 7 March 2025
Opening hours: Monday to Friday | 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Curator: Mgr. et Mgr. Mgr. art. Mária Hriešik Nepšinská, PhD.

The jury evaluated 238 entries made by designers, artisans and students from nine countries, categorized into three sections. Section A includes professional designers and university students, emphasizing  diverse craft approaches in their  artworks described as contemporary design, or utilization of tradition in a broader sense as inspiration for possible experimentation.

In Section B, artisans and traditional crafts producers present their work, with an important criterion for evaluation being not only the the product quality, but also the potential for series production.

As it is important for The Centre for Folk Art Production to support designers at an early stage of their career development in art-oriented secondary schools, the competition provides space for them in a dedicated  section C. The award-winning works are inspired by the practices or patterns of traditional craftsmanship and made from natural or, to a lesser extent, alternative materials.

A selection of the best works entered in the current competition will be presented in the ÚĽUV Bratislava Gallery from 14 November 2024 to 7 March 2025. The exhibition will then travel to the G18 Gallery in Zlín and the ÚĽUV Gallery in Košice.