Joachim Manz
1957
Since the beginning of his career as a freelance artist, Achim Manz has worked at the intersections of art, architecture, and design, primarily using fine concrete as his medium.
Miniature architectural models crafted from this material play with unconventional spatial constructions, with the conceptual phase of his works particularly influenced by the notion of "daydreaming," as described by Gaston Bachelard in his book The Poetics of Space. The spaces take shape from the wealth of visual facets gathered during his numerous nighttime explorations through urban architecture.
The small scale provides a playful distance, with concealed areas inviting the imagination to create vast enclosures, making the miniatures expansive in feel. Alongside his fine concrete miniatures, which have been displayed in numerous art and architecture exhibitions, Achim Manz also designs public art installations that can be interacted with rather than merely observed.
His extensive experience with fine concrete led him naturally to develop product ideas, including high-quality lighting objects crafted from this material.
He founded studio achim manz, and his first design, the "Trabant" lighting series for TECNOLUMEN, received significant recognition and won several awards. Driven by a spirit of experimentation, Manz continued developing prototypes and presented them at design exhibitions (including within an expansive Wagenfeld exhibition). He also conceived site-specific light installations that incorporate relief-like, sculptural elements integrated within, on, and in front of walls.
After developing his light sculpture "Io" to production maturity, it was presented at light + building 2016/17, where it was selected as the only German entry in the "ingenious & significant" category.
His designs are characterized by a clear, simple aesthetic and high-quality craftsmanship, skillfully balancing modern technology with traditional expertise, resulting in a poetically compelling object.
