Amazing Aluminium

Spread out over six different locations, here in Essen, this exhibition in the exhibition proposes a novel way to look at aluminium. Through three main themes, Amazing Aluminium! deals with the strong and long-term relationship between aluminium and innovation,  ALUMINIUM 2008’s central issue.

The First Steps of a New Metal (1854-1890) 

• Go to: European Aluminium Association, Hall 3 (I37)

Images of the Future: Aluminium and Art

• The Art of Modernity, Aluminium and “Art Nouveau” (1895-1905) 
  Go to: Entrance West
• The Renewal of Modernity: “Art Déco” (1920-1939) 
  Go to: Entrance North 
• 1969, a Year that Changed the Face of Aluminium 
  Go to: Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie, Hall 3 (J40)
• Crazy about Aluminium: the Creatures of Marcus Egli métallier 
  Go to: Entrance South
  

Nepal and the Human Dimension of Aluminium Recycling

• Go to: International Aluminium Recycling Center, Hall 4 (B05)

The Institute for the History of Aluminium

The Institute for the History of Aluminium (IHA) is a non-profit organisation created in 1986 and based in France. Steered by an international scientific council, IHA has built up a body of knowledge by bringing together specialists from several disciplines at the crossroads of industry and social studies. In parallel, IHA fosters initiatives to protect and develop the global aluminium industry’s technical and cultural heritage. It disseminates its works through an active policy of publications, exhibitions, lectures and public events. IHA has developed a benchmark Website devoted to aluminium, its culture and heritage: www.histalu.org.

The Jean Plateau – IHA Collection

Since 1986, Jean Plateau has assembled a vast collection of objects reflecting the changing uses of aluminium. Comprising 20,000 items from the 19th to the 21st centuries, the Collection is unique in the world.
Both a celebration of aluminium and a mirror of the contemporary world, the Collection is regularly displayed in exhibitions both in France and worldwide.

IHA works in partnership with Jean Plateau for the conservation and the promotion of the Collection.

This project is supported by the Association française de l’aluminium, the European Aluminium Association, the Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie, the International Aluminium Institute, Mr Marcus Egli métallier, Rio Tinto Alcan and Reed Exhibitions.