Michael Berger

Born:

1966 in Johannesburg South Africa

Training / Education:

• 1987 – 1990
• apprenticeship as a goldsmith Münster / Germany.
• 1998
• examination as master craftsman

Work Experience:

• 1990 – 1992
• further training in Koblenz and Düsseldorf Germany
• 1992 – 1999
• staff member and workshop supervisor - Professor Friedrich Becker, Düsseldorf Germany
• since July 1999 own studio in Düsseldorf-Oberkassel Germany

Exhibitions (Solo & Group Shows):

• 1997
• „In der Mitte der Tafel“, Solingen Germany
• 1999
• „Manufaktum“, Solingen Germany
  1999
• „Kostbarkeiten aus Stahl“, Düsseldorf Germany
  2000
• “Asymmetrie und Harmonie” Gesellschaft für Goldschmiedekunst, Frankfurt Germany
  2001
• “Funktionelle Gestaltung”, HWK Dortmund Germany
  2001
• „Manufaktum“, Kevelaer Germany
  2004
• “Thema Stahl ”, Kolloquium NRW – Solingen,Pforzheim, Chemnitz, Hanau Germany

Awards / Grants:

• Jewelry Prize Northrhine-Westfalia 2004 Germany

Publications:

• Minimal rings, Arch Gregory – Full Spectrum Publishing, 2004
• “die vierte Dimension – Schmuck in Bewegung”, GZ - Goldschmiede Zeitung 01/05

Artist statement:

Kinetic jewelry enhances the design of jewelry by a fourth dimension: movement.

Individual elements can rotate, be turned or can swing, inspired by the kinetic energy of the body.

Due to the many years of working for and assisting Friedrich Becker, the inventor of kinetic jewelry, the fascination of this extraordinary form of jewelry took hold of Michael Berger too.