Tuesday, July 29, 2008

July 08 Pieces for Peace

So what is contemporary art jewelry, anyway? I'm not sure even I actually know, but what I do know is that some ideas are best expressed visually; that which is conveyed by images may not translate to words, sounds, touch, or experience alone. Here is an excerpt about two brooches / pendants that are available for purchase / on display at Shaw Contemporary Jewelry Gallery in NE Harbor, Maine. I donate a portion of all sales to Ethical Metalsmiths.org, an organization working to connect metalsmiths with responsibly sourced materials.

The Story of US: We Fight, We Fit

We come from a history of violence and agression, precision and projectile.

My Grandfather was an incredible marksman, and hobby metalsmith, competing in multiple NRA (National Riffle Association) Tournaments held in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Some of the Sterling Silver in this work has come from recycled medals he won over 30+ years. Some of the gold comes surreptitiously from Oppenheimer’s Project in the 40’s, where my grandfather worked as a machinist. Think of all the jewelers / casters who made these medals, the glory and the shame; the economy and the families proud and flush, new tv’s and oily autos that this commerce bankrolled; Consider the hot rush of righteousness and pride that would come with the making, and the attainment of such prizes, for the ‘rapid fire’ winner and the ‘expert’ winner. The violent and aggressive past of some of the materials used in this work cannot be denied.

Our current aggressive engagements worldwide and our global failures at communication and conflict at first glance seem insurmountable; while realistically we as individuals typically cannot ‘fight’ for peace in Iraq or Afghanistan, we can make lawful changes in our nations politics and take the aggression out of our own personal, daily communications and strategies; we can take the spoils of the past, turn them into something new, and leave the aggressive, insufficient, outdated parts behind. We can achieve better outcomes.

This is a prayer for healing and of fusion; a simple wooden box opens to display two medals; on the left is the medal for the winner of the ‘rapid fire’ class, a reminder of the quickness of our minds to assign blame and assessment. The medal on the right is the winner of the ‘expert’ class, who ‘knows it all’, and is devoid of a beginners open mind. While the materials / medals of the past are fixed and permanently mounted to the display, closer examination of the medallions themselves reveal two removable pendants / brooches, created from formerly distinct elements of questionable recent history fused and forged together. This creates a new beauty of elemental natures, crystallized into the present moment. They are removable and wearable to further illustrate the point of leaving behind the trappings of the past…….but still each contains the dancing elemental energies of light and dark. The pendant / brooch on the left is ‘Rapid Fire, containing a fire agate symbolizing hardness and edge with a compelling light, energy and passion, its pointed vectors and convexity expanding outward. On the right is ‘The Expert’--a self contained and coalesced shell, with a soft concavity of pearl, symbolizing reconciliation, softness and beauty, within its inner angular turmoil. The two pendants brought together alongside each other, ‘out’ of their ‘box of the past’, suggest the well known yin-yang symbol of the 'unity of opposites'.

The Story of US: We Fight, We Fit

Reclaimed US National Matches Championship Medal parts circa 1946 Camp Perry, Ohio, and North American Rifle Association Medal Parts, Ribbons, Sterling and Gold Plated Bronze / Steel Findings and Placards. Refinished Found Spanish Cedar / Mahogany Box, Deerskin Leather, Installed Rare Earth Magnets.

Artist made pendants / brooches for US and Them: Rapid Fire vs. The Expert Reclaimed Sterling Silver, Reclaimed Gold alloyed into 18 karat, USA Fire Agate; Freshwater Chinese Pearl.








sincerely,

kelly
http://www.kellyjohnsondesigns.com/ http://kellyjohnsondesigns.blogspot.com/ 805.896.1469 315 Meigs Road A-154 Santa Barbara, CA 93109

Kelly Johnson donates a portion of all sales to Ethical Metalsmiths, Supporting worldwide efforts for the social and environmental reform of mining.

Many Thanks to Paul Schurch Woodworking http://www.schurchwoodwork.com/
For the intel and supplies for refinishing the found cedar / mahogany box.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

April 08

Painting in metal with fire.....well, maybe its an exaggeration, but it seems to be an applicable metaphor. Video is attached to see the process in action. The separate pieces of gold and silver are all meticulously assembled with tweezers and sweat in binding wire and pins, fluxed, and finally fused with a torch in a moment of trepidation and knife edge outcome. There may be an unusable puddle of metal after this, OR a one of a kind meditation and dedication to the moment of fusing and fire that i hope to share with others, in 18 karat gold, silver, and diamonds. What will the outcome be? Hopefully the finished piece will be available for viewing in the May of 08 posting!

March 08




Spirit in metal..........in stone..........what is it all about? The moment of merging between materials suggest worlds within worlds.....while the spirit of "gongshi" is exclusively reserved for natural stone formations in the Chinese tradition; here is a metal representation of a meditation to ponder. Viewing stones were meant as a meditation, a release, or a focal point for scholar studies. There is also the tradition of a 'witch's ball' in glass, to catch and contain playful spirits. The concepts are rooted in the collection and arrangement of elements, primarily by fire and other powerful natural forces, producing visual dramatic effect. The capture of the wandering eye, mind, and spirit obviously transcends many traditions and cultures, and speaks to our very biology enamored with complexity and nuance. Visual processing and the way we see is integrally tied up in the overall impression of the work; It is a joy to create such worlds for others to enjoy and ponder to their hearts delight......to wear in public, or appreciate in private.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

February 08

I've been listening to an unabridged version of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit' for the last several weeks while i work in the studio........his eloquent and philological writings are a comfort while hammering away...........
'The Dwarves of Yore made mighty spells

While hammers fell like ringing bells

In places deep, where dark things sleep

In hollow halls beneath the fells

For ancient king and Elvish Lord

There many a gleaming golden hoard

They shaped and wrought, and light they caught

To hide in gems on hilt of sword

On silver necklaces they strung

The flowering stars on crowns they hung

The Dragon Fire, entwisted wire

They meshed the light of moon, and sun' -----


As the dwarves sang, the hobbit felt the love of beautiful things, made by hands, and by cunning, and by magic moving through him, a fierce and jealous love, the desire of the hearts of dwarves...........

I must be related to the dwarves, somehow. I am currently working away on a 'Diamond Waistcoat', influenced by the idea of lucre inappropriately appropriated by 'The Worm Smaug' in the aforementioned story. It won't be done by the shows in February, but it will be a stunning piece when complete. I just hope i can procure the funds to finish such a decadent work. I will have to get some of my diamonds from pawn (legacy diamonds), and see if i can get some more donations of broken /unwanted precious metals jewelry, or dental gold (repurposed materials). I think as a child, i always imagined being curled up, sleeping with the dragon on a golden couch of gold and silver spoils. On a more socially aware note, this story is an amazing treatise on complex adult issues, cleverly adapted for a child's understanding. The lessons to be gleaned from this very important literary work make it a timely learning story about greed, wealth, war, and politics. Treat yourself, and a child in your life to 'The Hobbit'. All Tolkien text above is the copyright Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins. Thank you for your mission to keep your family's gifts alive.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

January 08


Such a restorative and wonderful new year. I was able to spend it in Big Sur, with friends, stars, fire, water, rocks, trees, and books. This is giving me the strength and inspiration to return full force into the studio. Sometimes i imagine the scapes of stone and metal i make could somehow, someday be as beautiful as the land and sea scapes in places like Big Sur. But the human conscious hand seems no match for beauty derived of natural, overwhelming forces, which is why i let the fire and metal direct the design in my work. It does far, far better than i could ever force with conscious attention.


I am starting off the New Year with another great commission piece, Some cuff links with the metal fusion which delights and surprises me, always. The ones pictured are larger in size than the collector wanted, so another set is being forged to suit their personal adornment needs. The interiors, will of course be different; no two diffusions are ever the same. They are coming along well and I love being back behind the flame, enticing noble metals to express themselves................revealing secrets, encouraging them to tell their tale.

I have gotten word that the work has been accepted for American Craft Council Exhibition in Baltimore February 2008. I feel quite overcome by this. I must drop into a space and let the very best of this work flow into physical form. I feel compelled to show in the West as well, so the work will be at the American Arts Festival in Santa Monica, also at the end of February 2008. With significant amounts of unglamourous toil, preparation, and personal expense of two shows on two coasts looming in front of me, it will be critically important to see through the strain to bring the very best work into being. This is always the goal. These venues will be a significant challenge for me, as my comfort is behind the flame and not amongst so many people; I am better at talking to metal, and hearing its whispers, not answering the songs of human voices. But challenge is one of life's requirements, and so will do my best to overcome my personal maladjustment. Funds From the modest artist grant i received last year will help with some of the travel and exhibition expenses.