It is often coincidences that give life a decisive turn. Ernst Gamperl actually wanted to become a carpenter and then came to woodturning rather by chance. But this marked the beginning of a lifelong love affair between him and wood. He began as an autodidact and thus created the freedom from the very beginning that was needed to deal with a subject in an unprejudiced way and to let something new emerge.
Gamperl’s sculptures are not simply turned. They are the result of a long, intensive confrontation with the material wood and a constant dialogue. What does the wood want, where does it deform, where are there cracks and irregularities – all this flows into the design process of his wooden vessels, whose natural expressiveness he subsequently enhances. For example, by waxing and polishing, brushing out the veins or cutting the finest grooves, or contrasting the different surfaces against each other.
Gamperl does not resort to the axe, however. Instead, he uses logs that have not withstood the wind or had to give way for some other reason. His sculptures are exhibited worldwide. But if you like, you can also visit him in his studio in Steingaden. Be sure to make an appointment in advance.
Fotos: Bernhard Spöttel
JOURNAL. What you might want to know…
Doing something by hand can change a lot. Buying something handmade out of conviction can do the same. It changes – or has already changed – the way we think. Especially when it comes to our food. What do we buy? Who made it? What can we perhaps grow ourselves? How do our actions and decisions change, first ourselves, then our purchases, then the landscape?
Every sourdough – that culture of lactic acid bacteria and yeast in a mixture of flour and water – is unique, like a fingerprint, because in every region there are individual bacteria in the air that give each loaf its very own flavour. One person who knows more about the infinite variety of sourdough cultures than most – whose culture is culture, so to speak – is the Belgian Karl De Smedt, keeper and archivist of Europe’s only sourdough library.
It’s virtually impossible to miss Julius Brantner Brothandwerk if you’re a fan of baked goods and find yourself in Munich. The charming Swabian baker has recently opened his second location, the first being such a success. With his team working transparently behind large glass windows, Julius strives to make “honest and trustworthy handling of all ingredients and processes accessible,” he says. Unsurprisingly, locals and tourists flock to the shopfront to sample their aromatic bread and delectable treats.
SHOP. Our latest releases….
FINDER. Find your maker…
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Mimi Ferments, based in Berlin, is a haven for food enthusiasts seeking artisanal, organic, and carefully crafted fermented products. Their dedication to quality and patience results in delectable offerings like...
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Mimi Ferments, based in Berlin, is a haven for food enthusiasts seeking artisanal, organic, and carefully crafted fermented products. Their dedication to quality and patience results in delectable offerings like Shiro Shoyu Koji and Genmai Miso. They also offer educational
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For more than 25 years now, AXOR, the design brand of the Hansgrohe Group, has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of bathrooms with the creation of avant-garde pieces and...
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For more than 25 years now, AXOR, the design brand of the Hansgrohe Group, has been instrumental in shaping the evolution of bathrooms with the creation of avant-garde pieces and collections – some of which are considered among the most
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Breathing new life into solid wood and repurposing it into contemporary first-class furniture is what the creative and committed team at Janua does. Like the Phoenix, the wood takes a...
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Breathing new life into solid wood and repurposing it into contemporary first-class furniture is what the creative and committed team at Janua does. Like the Phoenix, the wood takes a journey through fire to be born again for another purpose.
Makers Bible Crafting Cuisine inspires those who love to spend time in the kitchen, cook with hand and heart, try new things and celebrate a
Martin Schönleitner is one of 17 fishermen at Lake Chiemsee. Together with wife Verena Stephan they both run Chiemseefischerei Stephan, a family business for 400 years. Their ancestors had started their venture at Lake Constance. For three generations (at the present site) the Stepahn family lives and fishes at Lake Chiemsee, Prien am Chiemsee to be precise.
The tailor-made suit is still considered the highest-quality and most individual version of the garment. German men’s tailors work in the awareness of covering a particularly wide range of the demands their profession places on them.
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