Kintsugi at the Huelsmann Museum: Experience Japanese Repair Art Yourself

Kintsugi at the Huelsmann Museum: The Art of Making Broken Things Beautiful

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Huelsmann Museum in Bielefeld invites you to a special Kintsugi workshop with the Japanese artist Ken Ando. In two three-hour sessions, participants will experience traditional Japanese craftsmanship as a sensory examination of the work and practical aesthetic experience.

Repair as an Artistic Attitude

Kintsugi connects damaged ceramics with Urushi lacquer and makes the breakpoints consciously visible. The repair does not result in hidden touch-ups, but rather a unique piece that continues its story through lines, shapes, and golden joinings. The workshop thereby provides direct access to a Japanese art practice where impermanence, appreciation, and craftsmanship come together.

Create Step by Step with Ken Ando

Under the guidance of the artist Ken Ando, participants will reassemble broken porcelain, dishes, or ceramics. The workshop imparts the basics of the Kintsugi technique and combines focused work with cultural education. The material, the tactile quality of the ceramics, and the visible transformation of the object create an intense exhibition atmosphere in the historic Huelsmann Museum.

Bring Your Own Ceramic Piece

Those who wish can bring their own broken piece of porcelain, dishware, or ceramics. The object should consist of no more than two or three parts. An apron or an old shirt is recommended to protect clothing during practical work. Due to the curing time of the Urushi lacquer, the workpiece cannot be fully completed on the day of the event.

A Museum as a Place for Applied Arts

The Huelsmann Museum is located in the former director's villa of the Ravensberger Spinnerei and presents European art and cultural history, crafts, Asian art, glassworks, and scientific instruments across several floors. The Kintsugi workshop expands this museum context with an active examination of the work: art is not only observed but experienced with one's own hands.

Conclusion: An Art Experience Between Tradition and Modernity

Kintsugi at the Huelsmann Museum offers a concentrated art experience for all who want to directly experience material, craftsmanship, and Japanese aesthetics. The blend of artist guidance, cultural education, and personal creativity makes the workshop a special aesthetic experience. Early registration is recommended to learn the art of repairing live.

Official Channels of Ken Ando:

• Instagram: no official profile found
• Facebook: no official profile found
• YouTube: no official profile found
• Website: no official profile found

Sources:

• Kintsugi Workshop at the Huelsmann Museum - City of Bielefeld
• Workshops - Huelsmann Museum
• Workshop for Adults: Kintsugi - Huelsmann Museum Ticket Shop
• Contact and Info - Huelsmann Museum