Meet our group

It's been more than a month since we've set first foot in Europe(11th of March)!

Anyhow, say hello to:

Baklang!

Charlotte!

Judith! & Jenny!

Aaron!

Vanessa!

David!

Paras!

Angelique!

Madi B-A!

Jessica!

Laura!

Madi G!

Jasmine!

Chris!

And... who would this be?

Karin is so arty!!
& Bovey!

Photo Gallery - David Bielander

Enjoy the shoot peeps! It was our very first artist visit live!

It's us!
Karin!
And the artist/jeweller himself!

Dung Beetle Brooch, 2007
Steel Teaspoon
45 x 35 x 25mm

Raspberries Necklace, 2005
Scoubidou(plastic tube), Silver
440mm long

Moth, 2013
Disposable Lighter Hood, Gold
H 25mm x W 30mm

Gentian, 2011
Titanium, Gold
H 100mm x W 70mm

Umm... what was this one?

March 23, 2015 (Monday) – Stedelijk Museum

After visiting the studio of the very talented Ruudt Peters, we went to the Stedelijk Museum, where we saw more of his work. There was not much jewellery exhibited (more on objects made of glass, silver, wood, etc.) except for the selected pieces on the wall near the entrance, on few drawers, and at the Body Language? Exhibition. There were works by Karl Fritsch, Otto Kunzli, Helen Britton, Ted Noten, Warwick Freeman, and Sally Marsland.

Drawer of Selected Great Contemporary Jewellery at the Stedelijk Museum

But even if there were only few, they were rather great pieces. I really liked those that evoke drama with the use of black. Some notable examples are Ruudt Peters’ 1993 silver and pearl Strato necklace, another of his necklace, the 1993 Senouda made from goose egg, graphite, and patinated silver, Karl Fritsch’s silver and gold rings, and last but not the least, Philip Sajet’s 1987 gold tube, patinated gold sheet, and sapphires Deep Night necklace, whose combination of black and blue I really love.

Ruudt Peters Necklaces - Strato, 1993. Silver. pearls and Senouda, 1993. Goose egg, graphite, patinated silver

Karl Fritsch Rings

Philip Sajet, Deep Night, Necklace, 1987. Gold tube, patinated gold sheet, and sapphires

Other works that caught my attention were Robert Smit’s necklace from 1991 made of gold wire and painted gold and Marion Herbst’s necklace made in 1993 using painted silver wire, set glass, synthetic gemstones and silver.

Robert Smit, Necklace, 1991. Gold wire, painted gold

Marion Herbst, Necklace, 1993. Painted silver wire, set glass, synthetic gemstones, silver

March 22, 2015 (Sunday) – Moeders

Today was our day off but in the evening, we all met together for dinner at Moeders. ‘Moeders’ is the Dutch word for ‘mothers’, and interesting enough, the walls (and even the restroom doors and walls) of the famous restaurant were filled with pictures of mothers of all ages. – Some have shots with their babies or even adult children, others with husbands while others just by themselves; there were young mothers, there were older mothers, and there were mothers-to-be. How I wish I brought a picture of my mother to put up.  I will just post one up here once I have searched through old photographs.

Framed Photographs of Mothers at the Moeders Restaurant in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

My mother has been one of the most influential people in my life. The very first object that I designed and made was inspired by her. It was an egg cup titled well… The Mother, which was cold-formed using tombak, brass, nickel silver, and polypropylene. It resembles a flower, symbolizing a mother’s warmth and love. It is movable, being connected by a cutler’s rivet. Some of the techniques used were sawing, filling, drilling, rolling, and emerying.

Vanessa Calingo, The Mother, Egg Cup, 2009. Tombak, brass, nickel silver, polypropylene

March 21, 2015 (Saturday) – Amsterdam

Welcome to Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Honestly speaking, I preferred Munich than Amsterdam, and I kind of miss the little stacked houses in Idar-Oberstein. Maybe it’s the location of the hostel or maybe I am just tired. It has been almost 2 weeks since we left Australia, and I am feeling a bit homesick.

We have scheduled studio visits to Ruudt Peters on Monday, Lucy Sarneel on Wednesday, and Gitte Nygaard and Gesine Hackenberg on Thursday. We are also visiting few museums such as the Stedelijk Museum and the CODA Museum, and galleries such as the Galerie Marzee, Galerie Ra, and Galerie Rob Koudijs. I guess all I need is lots of rest to prepare myself for a busy week ahead.

Guten Biken

Its easy to dismiss things that either don't interest you. Its equally easy to ignore the depth of pure science, technical development, engineering knowledge and capital investment that goes into even the most banal and everyday objects. There are people who are incredibly skilled in the most obscure of industries and yet they are unrepresented. They work silently and quietly, obsessively even. Seeing the studio at Guten Biken was really exciting. Impressive enough was the huge range of tools, machinery and kit accumulated to be able to manufacture bicycle components, but more engaging in a way was the passion the team had for the craft and for learning. I with a deep respect for the archival in the bike world and for excellence in engineering the team reassemble from components to make customs bikes. They source older models from online sources and disassemble for parts. While the complexity was overwhelming at first, I definitely wanted to learn about how they work and some day be able to work with this level of machining. Long apprenticeships are necessary in Germany to be qualified to work with these skill sets so for a sculptor or a jeweller, collaboration is essential and education on the job I figure is the way to learn about what is possible. This has made me think seriously about my upcoming study breaks and what I might be able to do in term of work experience within specific trades. This was so worthwhile...The coffee was great too!

Ruudt Peters: trying to understand what he hates

Ruudt: trying to understand what he hates

This visit was so interesting.

Ruudt says in the visit that ‘the most exciting time of creating is the time of not knowing’.  This piece of knowledge is a valuable tool to hold onto when an artistic block happens or when the opposite occurs and there is an overload of stimulation and the end product still seems quite a way away. I need to remember these words because I tend to stress in the not knowing phase. But if I can adopt that positive thought I may really allow myself the luxury of play.

Another thing that struck me about Ruudt was his dislike of red, textiles and holes. He often explored the things he hated. It fascinates me that he went to china to learn more about red to see if he could like it. And although he did all that, he still didn’t end up changing his mind. I really wanted to know more. But I wasn’t brave enough or sure enough what question to ask.

His work has a lot of meaning and background, he mentioned that he ‘likes to consume lots of information/research/books and shit them out’.

He discussed jewellery as a communication and interaction tool. He described one of his exhibitions where male models stepped out wearing the pieces and although they were instructed not to talk with the viewers, it was inevitable. The models the jewellery and the viewers began to interact.

I am drawn to interesting ways to display jewellery I seem to circle back to it and am magnetised to the interesting choices artists make when exhibiting their work.

Jewellery is alluring, contemporary jewellery especially can have a siren effect because of its appearance and it creates a desire to touch it.

Ps, I loved the feet. but can’t say more.

March 20, 2015 (Friday) – Steinkaulenberg Gemstone Mine

It was a long, uphill then downhill walk to the Steinkaulenberg Gemstone Mine but upon arrival, it became all worth the leg pain; it was so beautiful. Never have I been in a mine, and never have I seen gemstones in their original state; still attached to the walls of the caves. I also did not know that different kinds of gemstones could grow in one location.

Group Picture Before Entering the Steinkaulenberg Gemstone Mine

Inside the Steinkaulenberg Gemstone Mine

Before and After the Mining of Gemstones

I have a fascination with transparent coloured stones, and I am interested in the structures that they form. It was amazing to find out that the color is based on its oxide content, e.g. copper oxide usually produces green while iron, red. I own several druzy agate rings from Brazil and I thought they were dyed since there were shades and tints of pinks, greens, and blues. However, the visit to the gemstone supplier yesterday proved otherwise and today, witnessing them in person before being cut and carved is so breath-taking. I am very much keen to work with gemstones, and would love to learn how to do stone cutting, faceting, and setting.

March 19, 2015 (Thursday) – University of Applied Sciences Idar-Oberstein and Emil Bohrer & Sohn Gemstone Supplier

Today was all about gemstones, gemstones, gemstones.

In the morning, we visited the University of Applied Sciences where we learnt about the courses they offer then had a traditional barbeque for lunch. I was able to ask Tabea Reulecke about her series of rabbit jewellery exhibited at Schmuckgalerie tal20 in Munich. She said that they were made around 2011, and was invited by the gallery to show them during the Munich Jewellery Week. She chose rabbits because she has a rabbit with black and white spots, named Liberty. She also used to have Casper but he died. She also said that she likes rabbit ears. With tigers, it all started with her cat allergy but wanted to work with them and express their delicateness. And she was able to do that by drawing them using enamel.

This Is How Barbeque Is Done

After lunch, we head on to Emil Bohrer & Sohn, which a wholesale gemstone supplier. Everyone went crazy with the variety of gemstones on offer, cut or uncut. They were a lot cheaper compared to Australian suppliers, and even to other stores in Idar-Oberstein. I bought a letter opener with an agate handle for 2.50 Euros, and I found a similar one later on for 10 Euros. If only I had enough space and weight to bring back a large agate geode with druzy crystals!

Lots of Choices Inside

And More Choices Outside

Various Gemstones - Could You Tell Which Is Which?

Agate Souvenirs

Thank You for Your Assistance and Expertise

Since we took a very long time gemstone shopping, there was not enough time to visit the Gemstone Museum but some of us went back to the University of Applied Sciences in the evening for the ‘bubbly’ Jewellery party.

Delicious Bread with Butter and Parmesan Cheese Prepared for Us for Dinner

March 18, 2015 (Wednesday) – Pforzheim Schmuckmuseum (Pforzheim Jewellery Museum)

In between our travelling from Munich to Idar-Oberstein by train, we went to the Schmuckmuseum (Jewellery Museum) in Pforzheim, which is dedicated to only jewellery. I went through most of the exhibitions starting from the Ethnographic Jewellery Collection but took the longest time in the Historical Collection. I liked the variety of jewellery and objects from the different periods – Roman Empire, Egyptian, Classical Greek, Renaissance, Baroque, and so on. I noticed the extensive usage of gold (and how amazingly thin it could go) and gemstones as well as the application of patina, whether intentionally or accumulated over time.

My last stop was at the contemporary section, which I kind of regretted because it was such a refreshing mini collections of pieces ranging from Art Deco to New Jewellery Until Today. As much as I enjoyed looking at traditional jewellery, I preferred the contemporary ones as they were closer to what I would like to do in my practice. At the entrance of the room, there was a display of jewellery tools and opposite that are drawers of several samples of jewellery techniques.

Range of Jewellery Tools Displayed at Pforzheim Schmuckmuseum in Germany

Measuring and Marking, Scoring, Drilling and Saw Piercing (Jewellery Techniques) Samples Displayed at Pforzheim Schmuckmuseum in Germany

There were so many remarkable works by artist jewellers, some of which we have visited in Munich like Peter Bauhuis, and others that we will be visiting in Amsterdam like Ruudt Peters. Because of my love for geometry, the Art Deco Collection was a feast for my eyes especially Rene Boivin’s c.1925 rock crystal, platinum, sapphires, and diamonds bangle. From the New Jewellery after 1950 Collection, I loved Hermann Junger’s 1995 gold brooch while from the New Materials in Jewellery – which showcases gold and silver jewellery combined with other materials such as plastic (particularly acrylic and polyester) and paper, – I was captivated by Peter Chang’s 2002 colourful and sea life-inspired acrylic and polyester bracelet. Other featured works were by the renowned Otto Kunzli and Gijs Bakker. Some of my favourites from the New Jewellery Until Today Collection were Karl Fritsch’s 2001 silver and sapphire ring, Iris Bodemer’s 2008 silver, onyx, hematite, mirror, and linen neck jewellery, and Giampaolo Babetto’s 1968 blackened gold necklace and 1989 gold ring. Other distinguishing pieces were by Warwick Freeman and Robert Baines.

Top to Bottom: Rene Boivin, Bangle, c. 1925. Rock crystal, platinum, sapphires, diamonds
Hermann Junger, Brooch, 1995. Gold
Peter Chang, Bracelet, 2002. Acrylic, polyester

Top to Bottom Left to Right: Karl Fritsch, Ring, 2001. Silver, sapphires (left)
Iris Bodemer, Neck Jewellery, 2008. Silver, onyx, hematite, mirror, linen
Giampaolo Babetto, Necklace, 1968. Blackened gold
Giampaolo Babetto, Ring, 1989. Gold

Before, materials such as paper and plastic were regarded as low value but today, they are commonly being used by contemporary jewellers in combination with precious metals. I, myself have become fascinated with plastic because of the wide range of types available and the variety of applications that can be used. Our world today is full of plastics because they are cheap to manufacture and are also lighter compared to other materials like glass and metal. Plastic can be found almost everywhere – in our homes, in our school, in the supermarkets – becoming a staple part of our lives.

Gone were the days when jewellery was all about gold and gemstones. Today is an era of new jewellery, where every material is possible.

March 17, 2015 (Tuesday) – Mobius Exhibition by Akiko Kurihara and Misato Seki

What do you expect from a Japanese artist’s exhibition? Geometric shapes, simplicity, minimalist design. Mobius by Akiko Kurihara and Misato Seki was all that. The Micheko Galerie was spacious, with works on the wall, plinths, tables, and shelves. I am not sure ‘though that I understand the relation of the ‘Do not enter' sign or the body on the floor to the work.

Mobius Exhibition 2015 by Akiko Kurihara and Misato Seki at Micheko Galerie in Munich, Germany

There were some pieces that interested me such as the Stem rings which were made from Japanese lacquer, hemp cloth, Japanese paper, shell, and silver and most especially, the colored silver pins which look anodised but they were actually electro color plated. The descriptions on the captions were helpful but at times they were too general or even vague. There was also a play with words when it comes to captioning. The electro color plated pins which looked like medicine pills were titled Take Care of Yourself.

Akiko Kurihara, Take Care of Yourself, Pin. Electro color plated 925 silver, nickel silver 

Akiko Kurihara, New Confetti, Pins. Electro colored 925 silver

I really liked how were allowed to touch the pieces for I believe that physical interaction is really important in understanding more about the work, and examining them carefully does make a huge difference in one’s interpretation. Overall, I was happy with the exhibition – I was greeted with a friendly welcome, was allowed to take a lot of photographs, was invited to touch the pieces and was able to take my time – a good way to spend the last day in Munich aside from souvenir shopping.