A (late) post about day 1 - David Bielander

Our first day in Munich was jammed-packed. The day started at 5am, and after several hiccups (luggage misplaced by airlines and someone missing the train stop for the hostel) we made our way to Schmuck. There we met David Bielander who spoke about his work. 

David Bielander at Schmuck

Within the world of contemporary jewellery it is unusual to encounter someone who works in additions as Bielander does. He makes 12 to 25 of each of the works within a series, and does so as each piece is so resolved. Despite making additions of the work there are slight variations between each as they develop over the course of the series thereby making it a one off. 

He walked us through the development of several of his series, stating that he does not restrict himself to style but rather lets the idea dictate the materials. One of these were his series of snakes that are made of a single piece of titanium, which he then bends and tabs into the final work. From discussing the importance of coiling the metal (which affects the movement of the piece), and the slight gradation of colour from the head to the tail, every detail was effectively reduced to illustrate the concept.  

Judith wearing the finished piece

The longgg piece of titanium used to make the snake

While looking at his work, it's difficult to imagine, yet Bielander spoke of his difficulty working with sheet metal for the first 10years following his study. As a result the work he submitted for Academy of Fine Arts in Munich was his smoke ring machine, which as the name suggests creates rings of smoke. Later the smoke machine was moved into a museum, where visitors could pay 10euros for a bag, and the machine would create a ring in your size. I was able to capture a the smoke ring coming out in a photograph, which Bielander said he doesn't have, and requested I send him later! 

The last work I will touch on is his cardboard jewellery - the latest series he has produced. It's the details and the skill required for the replica which make it so incredible. He talked us through his process of making the piece, including sandblasting, soldering and using pumice to transform the texture and materiality of silver into cardboard. The folds, slight indents of the cardboard texture, and the white gold staples all add to the transformative element. 

Smoke Machine - with a smoke ring

Karin wearing the cardboard watch