Friday, December 2, 2011

Vanity, Mechanics, and Design

A currently developing body of work involving jewelry techniques of chasing, shaping, and found object incorporation.


These are works based on ideas of power, vanity and hubris as armor. Design influences have emerged from Greek Mythology (Icarus's wings created by Daedalus), Sea Creatures, Mayan and Aztec head ornaments and ceremonial costumes, as well as current high-end fashion trends in the form of creature-like, potentially wearable sculpture. Incorporated into the pieces are components of industrial materials as a metaphor for the triumphs of industry and technology. Simple mechanical components, such as bolts, nuts, rivets, and gears are transformed into sculptural wearable adornment that is on the verge of non-wear-ability. These wearable forms, such as bracelets and rings, are visually seductive yet cause a tension of caution due to the elongated feather-like points and sharp edges. The application of menacing adornment has the potential to cause harm to the onlookers simultaneously suggesting protection and danger.

Copper, Brass, Aluminum, Found Objects, Hardware