Confluence is part of the Boundless Vases series by the Nigerian artist Ngozi-Omeje Ezema. It consists of ceramic elements suspended from transparent cords and linked together to form open vase shapes. The vase does not appear as a closed vessel, but rather as a fragile, floating form in space.

For Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, the moving object symbolises a life in balance, whilst the ceramic elements highlight its fragility. In the series *Boundless Vases*, the artist liberates ceramics from the narrow confines of their utilitarian function and transforms traditional ceramic forms into a contemporary installation.

The title ‘Confluence’ means ‘convergence’. For the International Ceramics Museum in Weiden, the work adds an international dimension to the collection of contemporary ceramics and broadens the perspective on the vase as a contemporary artistic form.
Our thanks go to Duke Franz of Bavaria, who acquired this object for Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum.

The project was made possible by special funding from the CSU parliamentary group’s reserve fund.

PROGRAMME
Welcome
Johannes Listewnik, Director of the IKM

Greetings
Dr Benjamin Zeitler, Lord Mayor of the City of Weiden i.d.OPf.
Prof. Dr Angelika Nollert, Director of Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum Munich
Dr Stephan Oetzinger, Member of the Bavarian State Parliament

On the work and its context
Ngozi-Omeje Ezema, artist
Dr Josef Straßer, Chief Conservator and Deputy Director of Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum Munich

Admission is free.