March 11, 2015 (Wednesday) - David Bielander


March 11 was a full-packed day – from our arrival in Germany to attending the Munich Jewellery Fair, the David Bielander artist talk, the Peter Bauhuis studio visit and finally, to a lovely dinner at Café Mariandl. During the fair, we got to see (but unfortunately not touch) plenty of visually attractive pieces.  I was particularly interested in the diversity of the jewellery and objects exhibited especially those that played with the elements of texture and colour.

We had the privilege to meet in person the Swiss jeweller David Bielander, who was part of the Exempla 2015, and hear him talk about his practice. I take David as a thinker and an analyser; I like his way of processing thoughts, his creative application of colours, and his openness to technological advancements. I was inspired and relieved to know that it took him 10 long years before he started making his first proper jewellery, and mentioned that this is okay since some things take time. I also like his use of multiples through editions which results in a unique body of work, and selling them only through galleries. I very much enjoyed his unexpected transformations of everyday objects into resolved and often wearable pieces, which on their own, have a life but give a new life to the wearer.

Last year, I started incorporating some found/everyday/ready-made objects into my work. The reasons which brought about this change in my practice is that I often prolong the making due to the limited resources I have – whether it is the lack of money or the inability to find exactly what I want to use.  I also have the affinity of keeping various things so repurposing materials is a good way of recycling and giving value to these things.

Some of David’s pieces retain the quite obvious characteristics of the original material while others look rather indistinguishable. For example, I guessed that the Raspberries necklace was probably woven from plastic tube strings and the Weiner & Weisswurst (Sausages) neckpiece cut from wood but was struck in awe with the Moth brooch made from the metal parts of a disposable lighter and the Dung Beetle brooch made from a simple spoon. The pieces, however different they have become, still leave some traces of the source material as in the case of the turtle made from a beer cap.

David Bielander, Raspberries, 2014. Plastic tube, patinated silver

I agree with David’s smart way of making profits from things that are readily available. Although it is good to invest on quality materials to bring about quality pieces, it is not always true that expensive materials = high quality pieces. Materials go hand in hand with good workmanship and a great idea. There is an abundant source of materials, and David Bielander made me realize that some of the amazing sources are often left unnoticed. Material sourcing for me now is no longer an obstacle for keener observations in our surroundings could create endless making possibilities.