This research project, conducted by Liesbet Bussche and Irma Földényi, rethinks the position of the jewellery designer in the Anthropocene through artistic research into his/her material use and work context. Starting point is the area of tension between natural, traditionally valuable materials that cause irreparable damage to the earth during exploitation and artificially produced materials, which can serve as valid alternatives at first sight. The compilation of a material library, discussions with experts and field trips to industrial sites lead to critical findings on valuation and significance of matter, and are made public in a scenographic presentation and article. The second part of the research project focuses on the artistic creation of a jewellery-related object in the context of the material. The unusual methodology for the jewellery designer of the inverted workshop that transforms a material-related context to a production context offers insights for the redefinition of the work context of the jewellery designer and the relevance of jewellery within the theme of the Anthropocene.
Photo: First synthetic diamond crystals produced by H. Tracy Hall on December 16, 1954
Source: Sample Images and Documents from 1954 Diamond Discovery - see htracyhall.org
Studio sieraad and research platform Precious Dialogue cordially invite you to the lecture of Marge Monko on Tuesday 27 November at 19:00 (Sint-Jozefstraat 35, Antwerp).
Marge Monko explores artistically how media like photography, text and moving images are used as tools by public institutions or private companies in their ways of communication. She employs methods like documenting, staging and appropriating, linked to influences of psychoanalysis, feminism and theories of visual culture. In her latest work ‘Stones Against Diamonds, Diamonds Against Stones’ curated by Belgian art historian Evelien Bracke, Monko takes the approach of world-leading diamond company De Beers as a case study to explore the phenomenon of desire.
Photo: Karel Koplimets - Marge Monko. An installation view of the exhibition 'Stones Against Diamonds, Diamonds Against Stones'. Tallinn City Gallery, 2018
Masterclass / Marge Monko, 'Every Letter is a Love Letter'
In this masterclass by Tallinn-based artist Marge Monko, masterstudents of St Lucas Antwerp and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp will explore and work on ways of communicating affection.
‘Love’ involves a wide range of issues – platonic love, idolatry, religion, sexuality, desire, rejection – and touches upon very different disciplines, i.e. psychology, biology, biochemistry, sociology, etc. Each student will choose a text – this can be a poem, a song, a letter, an email, a text message or graffiti – as a starting point to develop an individual work. The resulting work can be in one or other medium: an image, an object, a piece of jewellery, an installation, a performance, etc.
In addition to a lecture on the topic of the romantic discourse, introductions to the artistic practices of related artists and film screenings will take place. During the masterclass, these artworks and films will be discussed as well as current tendencies. The writings of sociologist Eva Illouz will provide a theoretical background to this subject. The masterclass will consist of both group and individual meetings.
Marge Monko’s ‘Stones Against Diamonds, Diamonds Against Stones’ led to the invitation for this masterclass, organized by the research platform Precious Dialogue and Studio sieraad. In this installation, she takes the approach of world-leading diamond company De Beers as a case study to explore the phenomenon of desire and the codes and strategies used to present consumer goods. Marge Monko explores artistically how media like photography, text and moving images are used as tools by public institutions or private companies in their ways of communication. She employs methods like documenting, staging and appropriating, linked to influences of psychoanalysis, feminism and theories of visual culture.
Photo: Karel Koplimets - Marge Monko. An installation view of the exhibition 'Stones Against Diamonds, Diamonds Against Stones'. Tallinn City Gallery, 2018.
