Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Call for entries!

Calling all undergraduate students! Submit your work to the first-ever
Winthrop University Jewelry and Metals Intercollegiate Undergraduate
Exhibition, juried by Bob Ebendorf.

Entries must be received by December 10, 2010.

Go to: www.winthropjewelrymetals.com for more information or email
Courtney Starrett at courtneystarrett@gmail.com or Kaylyth Harris at
harrisk7@winthrop.edu.

--
Courtney Starrett
Assistant Professor
Winthrop University
202 McLaurin
Rock Hill, SC 29733
www.courtneystarrett.com

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tiffany Parbs

cosmetic

blister-ring

camp

gesture

Tiffany Parbs work looks to broaden and augment definitions of jewellery, and to challenge and extend the medium in the public arena. Parbs is a jeweller who works in close contact with the body, exploring cosmetic surgery through ephemeral gently manipulated changes to the skin. (information taken from http://whipup.net/2009/03/15/tiffany-parbs-cosmetic-jewelry/)
Looking at her works reminded me of Lauren Kalman, who also works in close connection with the body and skin.

*links to Tiffany Parbs' work:
http://www.craftact.org.au/exhibitions/2009EX2G1
http://www.klimt02.net/jewellers/index.php?item_id=13287

jewelry is medicine





Recently we have been talking about jewelry's place in the larger fine art sphere. Klaus Burgel seems to represent this union well, as he makes work utilizing traditional goldsmithing techniques while also implementing other ways of making and building through other mediums. Check it out! I would recommend looking at all his images. Yummy yummy.

Natural Language

Bas Bouman, Necklace, 2005
Bas Bouman
Cherry stones, calf bone, sisal


Bas Bouman, Necklace, 2005
Bas Bouman
Sisal, cow bone
Adam Grinovich, Necklace, 2010
Adam Grinovich
Plaster, Shellac, Lacquer, Pigment, Leather


The natural elements (with exception to the last piece) and tribal aesthetic of these pieces
draws me to them in a way that no metal piece can. The idea that one can for example go
on a walk empty-handed and along the journey can collect items and create an adornment
is fascinating, reminiscent of simpler times in which one was innately connected to one's
primitive surroundings. For me wearing items from these surroundings improves my quality
of life; it is as though sharing in a language known only to nature and the wearer.




Image Site and Inspiration

 http://vi.sualize.us/
I stumbled across this website last year and have found it extremely helpful to find images, save them and organize them.  Any image you find on the internet you can save on this site, and categorize it anyway you would like. It can be cheezy at times but if your looking for something specific its good and you can save anything you like. 
Here are some things i'm looking at right now.
Parke Harrison: The Architect's Brother
 Karl Blossfeldt

Read by Touch (thorns on rice paper) by Cui Fei

Baskets in Vietnam

Ria LIns' Jewelry

Ria Lins, Brooch, 2010Ria Lins, Necklace, 2010Ria Lins, Bracelets, 2010Ria Lins, Necklace, 2010

making connections

It's difficult to detach yourself from what you do. Skateboarders often note that they can't look at a cityscape without evaluating how "skatable" it is; they see potential for grinds and jumps in every stair, curb, handrail, or ledge. Similarly, as a jeweler it seems natural to investigate the ways in which things are connected and assembled, the materials used, the functions of objects— and relationships between these features. This summer I was drawn to this netting I came across in a maritime community. The functions of each of the components are interesting to consider, but I'm especially drawn to the purposeful connections that were created out of necessity (apparent in these examples of orderly-yet-imprecise wrapping, knotting, and tying).







[I want to wear this.]