Craft hard, Die Free

In our seminar with Cerys this week we discussed the political side to craft.

I found this subject really interesting because it involved designers, makers and general public getting involved in a subject they feel strongly about to create something visual.

Although the knitting a square and adding it to a piece shows support visually I found work by designers individually something further interesting as it becomes more into the mainstream.

Kali Arulpragasam.

Super Fertile is a London based artistic jewelry design house that highlights world issues through highly original pieces that push the traditional boundaries of form, design and reason. After graduating from Central Saint Martin's college, Super Fertile founder and creative director, Kali Arulpragasam, held senior positions in top flight advertising agencies in London, Los Angeles and New York. A decade later she returned to London and brought a new dimension to jewellery design, combining her creative advertising skills with her passion for global politics.

"Her work is highly influenced by social issues with collections titled “Rich Girl vs. Poor Girl” and “Endangered Species”. Her latest collection is called “Terrorism Affects Tourism”. The collection celebrates the positive side to countries that we think of as war-torn and poverty stricken. From the Times:

“There’s more to these countries than guys with guns standing in rubble,” said Ms. Arulpragasam, who fled Sri Lanka with her family 20 years ago. “What are the plants like? What music are the kids listening to? That’s what I wanted to show.”— PRIYA PATEL"These pieces are plated gold and silver and start at $800http://niralimagazine.com/2008/01/kalis-jewel-box/

"London-based jewelry designer Kali Arulpragasam's line, Super Fertile, from her Murder Collection"

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/46302702393891125/

These pieces are very effective and stand out to me from the details and materials used.

Using precious materials to express a political view that is wearable feels a lot stronger to me than a propaganda poster or a knitted political statement and although that involves countless people to get involved these pieces have longevity they speak about current situations and look fantastic on their own or worn. These pieces raise awareness to situations that are overlooked in the media, countries that gain reputations over war this work brings new light too and expresses what they really stand for.

A few of my favourite things!

Chiara Scarpitti.

"quasicristalli 2011 | Chiara Scarpitti - tetraedri-spille (brooches)"

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/390476230166443390/

"Designer specialized in contemporary jewelry and PhD candidate at International Doctorate in Design and Innovation at Second University of Studies of Naples with a research about the practice of making as speculative research of Design. Her works develop on different aspects of the contemporary, hybridizing the technology with a humanistic approach, using the most innovative production techniques between advanced industry and high craft.

http://www.chiarascarpitti.com/

..

Her shop: http://www.chiarascarpitti.com/shop_online/

Her blog: http://chiarascarpittistudio.tumblr.com/ "

I find Chiara Scarpitti's work inspiring because the mix between structure and organic materials has made me realise that contrast within work plays off each other and makes one another appear stronger or more appealing. I'm very inspired by mixed media objects and projects because of the different textures and elements being mixed. I enjoy her website because of the ambiance she creates, her philosophy on her website reads interesting as she's inspired by poetry and various other art forms. She works in various forms but I love the piece above because of the accuracy and skill behind everything, I think this piece appears simplistic and easy to look at but from a makers perspective I find it amazing how the structure is so straight and perfect.

Han-Chieh Chuang

Red brick brooch serie- silver, copper, enamel, steel wire.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/106397609920043723/

 "Contemporary jewellery artist 

Based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom

From Taipei, Taiwan

My growing background and experience of the environments has strongly influenced the concept of my works. Growing up in such an advanced capital city I have become gradually tired of busy urban lives and yearn for the simple and buoyant life in traditional Taiwanese farming villages where people are sanguine and content. Agriculture has played an extraordinary role in Taiwan’s history. It has brought the island economic foundation and wealth, however as time goes on and the development of technology, traditional agriculture has lost its position. The relationship between people and land has been neglected. I’m proud to be a Taiwanese but I feel sorry for the lost of the dear tradition and the simple attitude toward life. Thus, I look for elements that have come from my affection for my homeland, particularly, the Taiwanese agriculture combining techniques with hand craft skills to complete series of works that I hope to express the strength and emotions connected to my home. I believe art has a strong power of communicating messages. Through my works I expect to pass an idea of the beauty of my homeland and bring it back to those hearts where beauties have been forgotten. 

I use enamel as my working material because of the texture and colours it brings. I’m attracted to its rich possibilities of colours and its characteristic of uniqueness. Every single enameling gives unique result and challenge. Through exploring and controlling the material I tell story of texture and colour and bring out the layers and completeness of my works. "

http://hanchiehchuang.com/

I absolutely love these brooches because Han-Chieh Chuang has incorperated these different textures within their work and pairing it with bright colours, I find it so attractive to the eye. Her work showsdifferent aspects of skills, organic ways using enamel onto the surface and then using steel wire as a perfect structure. Their inspiration behind the work makes me feel like I should explore my enviroment further and cultural differences.

Winde Rienstra.

"Architecture meets Fashion. Haute Couture Collections and Accessoires. Shoe Designer"

https://twitter.com/WindeRienstra

"Winde Rienstra’s work is situated at the boundaries of fashion, art and architecture. Rienstra’s fascination with spatial structures around the human body has led to a recurring play with three-dimensionality. Each of the resulting spatial designs is a new opportunity to allow the materials to shine like jewellery around the human body.

Winde Rienstra is not only know for her fashion designs, but is also famous and appreciated for her experimental and daring shoe designs."

http://www.fashionweek.nl/en/designer/winde-rienstra

Pump

Collection Spring/Summer 2012

photo by Peter Stigter

http://www.virtualshoemuseum.com/winde-rienstra/pump

I'm very interested in the structures and forms Winde Rienstra uses within her fashion, and although she is a fashion designer she uses the body as a jewellery designer would, selecting items as objects and almost changing models posture and figures with these laser cut, formed objects. I love the details and precise application of techniques. I enjoy her website as the colours are musted but the work and interaction of models reflects her intentions.

Overall looking at the designers and imagery that inspires me I have found I'm interested in mixed media designs, attention to detail and texture along with how they interact with the body! This are everything I want to remember when designing jewellery in my discipline, remembering what the function of the piece is and if not wearable such as Wine Rienstra's, it can still be seen as something couture and unique.