My first time … at the Winterthur Museum of Applied Arts

At first, I am struck by the building itself: the high-ceilinged entrance hall with its disco ball and the creaking wooden staircase that winds its way up through two storeys are impressive. They bear witness to the long history of the Trade Museum, which was founded in 1874, though the building had already been erected in 1849 as a girls’ grammar school.

Today, the museum welcomes visitors across three floors. On the ground floor are the entrance hall, a small shop and a charming café. On the first floor, the current exhibition ‘Glitter’ awaits me, and I don’t want to miss it. Around 40 exhibits on the theme of glitter are to be discovered across several rooms. I read Dolly Parton’s quote “There’s no such thing as too much glitter” on the wall and am initially a little overwhelmed. Everything is sparkling, shimmering and glistening. I need a moment to find my bearings amidst all the glitter.

Alongside clichéd 1990s ‘girlhood dreams’, glitter suddenly takes on a serious, political dimension here. I find one room particularly moving, where members of the public have submitted their own glittery objects – along with explanations of what they mean to them. One photo, for example, shows a woman’s scars, which she has embellished with glitter. Glitter nails, a jacket by Bill Kaulitz and outfits worn by drag queens round off the exhibition.

However, what I enjoy most is the glitter workshop, where I spend a good half an hour crafting to my heart’s content. It’s generally noticeable that it’s mainly adults who enjoy the glitter, not necessarily their children.

On the second floor, I finally come across the materials laboratory I’d heard about. Over 1,000 animal and plant-based materials, metals, plastics, pigments, glass, rocks, mineral materials, paper, ceramics, wood-based materials, wood, wax and textiles can be touched, explored and tested here. Alongside mother-of-pearl, glittering butterflies and shimmering surfaces, there are also exhibits specifically designed to critically examine the theme of glitter: Where does glitter actually come from? What is in it? And where does it disappear to once the magic is over?

Suddenly, glitter is no longer just beautiful, but also complex. Ecological questions arise, connections become apparent, without any didactic tone. I find myself spending longer than planned feeling, tilting, sorting and comparing materials. The space invites you to linger.

After about two hours, however, I’m now looking forward to some fresh air and a coffee – and am already mentally planning my next visit. The Material Lab has clearly been neglected today.