You only see what you know (Goethe)
During my tour through the founding city of the Staatliches Bauhaus, I embark on a search for contemporary forms of this movement. But what should I pay attention to? The creative approach of that time may produce quite different results today. [German]
This shop sign at the Bürstenmacherei Steinbrück in Naumburg (Saale) shows in a fine way the main products of a German Bürstenbinder (brush-maker). Inside the shop, you can not only buy brushes manufactured in a traditional way but also learn details about this tradition.
This window in Naumburg (Saale) shows works created by an artist. I was impressed by this compilation of snail shells which made me think I’m looking at a showcase in a museum of natural history.
The traditional shop generally known as ‘Das alte Handelshaus‘ (The old merchant house) is situated at the address Schmiedestraße 11. Today it houses a chain store of a tea merchant (Tee-Maass). Even though it is a tea shop you can buy a lot of different goods, e.g. a coffee named after a local ghost: Petermännchen Kaffee.
Inside a shop people of Graz are very proud of. Lena Hoschek was born and grew up in Graz and opened her first studio in this city as well. In the meantime she have become an international recognized fashion designer.
Since 1422 tanners have been working at the address Lederergasse 5 in Salzburg. At the same address there is still a shop run by the family Schliesselberger selling goods made of leather. During opening hours you can visit a fascinating detail of Salzburg: In a room on the 1st floor there are some frescoes probably dating back to the mid of 16th century.
Many people travel from far away to buy something traditional from Austria. Unfortunately some traditions last for only a few days in the year. Nethertheless you can buy Easter eggs all year round in a shop in the city of Salzburg. This shop is situated in the Judengasse 11.
A shop sign I haven’t seen for ages: In former times a shop for colonial goods (Kolonialwaren) sold goods generally delivered from far away. E.g. coffee, tobacco, cacao, spices, tea and so on. Today there is no need for such specialized shops so I was glad to see such an old inscripiton while walking through Sankt Wolfgang im Salzkammergut.
A good chance to see works by the Austrian photographer Erich Lessing and to buy prints of his photos is this gallery in the Weihburggasse 22, located in the 1st district of Vienna.
The Blaudruckerei Koó, established in 1921, is one of the last businesses in Europe using the traditional technique of Indigo hand block printing. Visitors of this company in a small place in Burgenland will learn about the machines, materials and pattern used in this technique.
The tobacconist’s in Vienna is called ‘Trafik’. There are lots of them spread all over the city. A blue Trafik is not that usual though.
Have you ever shopped in a shop owned by a burlesque dancer? I discovered such a shop in Vienna lately. The shop run by an Austrian dancer offers vintage dresses for ladies and gentlemen. They even offer vintage makeup. Not really using the ingredients of the old times but the colours. Well, who of you would love to celebrate this New Year’s Eve wearing a dress of the 20ties?