In May 2010 I attended a symposium of European silversmiths held in Copenhagen, called Hammerclub. About 150 silversmiths from all over Europe, and as far afield as New Zealand, attended and enjoyed a programme of talks, a tour of the George Jensen Workshops, and made work for an exhibition to the theme ‘Objects of Light’. I made a pair of Nitrate Negative Bowls for the exhibition and was delighted to win second prize. This was a unique and very special award to win because it was voted for by the gathered silversmiths and visitors to the Museum.
Many people also took their hammers to Denmark to make a collective silver bowl, which was to be a gift to The Museum of Art & Design. There is a fascinating (although quite noisy!) film on the Hammerclub website, which shows the bowl making process. It takes about 30 seconds for the actual filming to begin, after several still shots.
There was also plenty of time for socialising, wandering around Copenhagen and getting lost, exchanging thoughts and techniques with fellow silversmiths, and a general feeling that the community of silversmithing is alive, well and going from strength to strength.