https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/1643 en-us One look lengthwise in a sun-speckled upper room is all it takes to see a spectrum of ideas at play in Gerhards & Gl'cker's exhibit pieces for the Saxon castle of Albrechtsburg, in eastern Germany.

]]> albrechtsburg-meissen.asp Sun, 16 Oct 2011 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/8263-albrechtsburg-meissen Daylight filters through the arched-stone windows of the middle room on the castle's second level, where exhibits include a long shiplike vitrine dubbed 'New Living in Old Walls.' Albrechtsburg MeissenGerhards & Gl'ckerMeissen, GermanyDaylight filters through the arched-stone windows of the middle room on the castle's second level, where exhibits include a long shiplike vitrine dubbed 'New Living in Old Walls.'Image courtesy Gerhards & Gl'cker A carousel display in the Kurf'rst-August-Zimmer (Elector August Room) contains a mirror framed in porcelain. Although it doesn't rotate, the vitrine's heptagonal shape in the vaulted backdrop makes i Albrechtsburg MeissenGerhards & Gl'ckerMeissen, GermanyA carousel display in the Kurf'rst-August-Zimmer (Elector August Room) contains a mirror framed in porcelain. Although it doesn't rotate, the vitrine's heptagonal shape in the vaulted backdrop makes it appear as if it were spinning or bursting out toward the viewer.Image courtesy Gerhards & Gl'cker Visitors to this tiny prison cell ascend a futuristic aluminum pulpit to get a close look at well-preserved graffiti from the year 1643 that says: 'Death is certain; only uncertain is the day. Also th Albrechtsburg MeissenGerhards & Gl'ckerMeissen, GermanyVisitors to this tiny prison cell ascend a futuristic aluminum pulpit to get a close look at well-preserved graffiti from the year 1643 that says: 'Death is certain; only uncertain is the day. Also the hour, no-one knows. So think on this and pay honor to the Lord; for each hour could be your last.' Image courtesy Gerhards & Gl'cker The Tetris-piece-shaped display in this second-floor room showcases the work of rococo artist Johann Joachim K'ndler. Its shape provides a solid counterpoint to the fluid sculpture of the room's fine Albrechtsburg MeissenGerhards & Gl'ckerMeissen, GermanyThe Tetris-piece-shaped display in this second-floor room showcases the work of rococo artist Johann Joachim K'ndler. Its shape provides a solid counterpoint to the fluid sculpture of the room's fine stone benches and ornate flowering columns.Image courtesy Gerhards & Gl'cker The first floor of the Albrechtsburg Castle contains the portraits of Saxon nobility; it's where the most ornate vaulting and deeply colored rooms are found. From the bottom to the top of the plan: th Albrechtsburg MeissenGerhards & Gl'ckerMeissen, GermanyThe first floor of the Albrechtsburg Castle contains the portraits of Saxon nobility; it's where the most ornate vaulting and deeply colored rooms are found. From the bottom to the top of the plan: the main parlor, main hall, and the entrances from the small and large spiral staircases. The main hall contains what G&G calls the 'laser cannon,' a large viewing device mounted on a swivel that turns 360 degrees, overlaying the images seen through the eyepiece with data on the architecture and construction techniques in use.Image courtesy Gerhards & Gl'cker The second floor features many large vitrines with displays dedicated to an exhibition of the area's porcelain manufacturing industry, the 'white gold' that put Meissen on the map. At the bottom of th Albrechtsburg MeissenGerhards & Gl'ckerMeissen, GermanyThe second floor features many large vitrines with displays dedicated to an exhibition of the area's porcelain manufacturing industry, the 'white gold' that put Meissen on the map. At the bottom of the plan: installations focusing on the history of the porcelain. At the top: installations on its production. Special exhibits include a sound installation in a corridor on a raised aluminum floor; a large carousel vitrine in the Elector Augustus Room; a feature on rival artists Johann Joachim K'ndler and Johann Herold; and at the top of the plan, a long shiplike vitrine reflecting a spectacularly painted and tiled room. Image courtesy Gerhards & Gl'cker The third floor displays focus on the politics of the Saxon nobility and the architecture of the castle itself. Vitrines indicated at the bottom of the plan contain architectural exhibits; moving towa Albrechtsburg MeissenGerhards & Gl'ckerMeissen, GermanyThe third floor displays focus on the politics of the Saxon nobility and the architecture of the castle itself. Vitrines indicated at the bottom of the plan contain architectural exhibits; moving toward the top of the plan, the displays transition to the castle as a living space, with big glass frames showing how people lived, often eating, sleeping, and working in single rooms. One of the side chambers has a periscope, going through the ceiling to the roof, that overlays viewed images with information. At the top right of the plan is a small tower prison cell with early 17th-century graffiti.Image courtesy Gerhards & Gl'cker