emiko-o reware

All My First Royal Jewels are officially out of the house and showing off their sparkle at various exhibitions through most of this month! Just recently, two shows opened on the East Coast at Sienna Gallery in Lenox, MA, and at the Atrium Art Gallery at Ball State University in Muncie, IN.

anya kivarkis ring

At Sienna is So Fake They’ll Think It’s Real (through Sept 21), a show curated by the group 18K GOLD TONE, inspired by their experience at a pawn shop, where the attendant tried to sell them an engagement ring with a huge plastic stone –”It’s so fake, they’ll think it’s real!” Posing the question, “When we can no longer discern the actual from the absurd where do our values fall?” All of us artists in the show have in our own ways subverted this idea of Real. Anya Kivarkis‘s ring above is quite to this point.

karin seufert necklace

I love this necklace by Karin Seufert, probably because like my own work, it is mimicing a familiar, possibly historic style. And I hadn’t the slightest clue what the material was (until i saw a description–pvc!)–always a success when using alternative materials. Honored to be included in this show alongside such artists as: Pia Aleborg       Gijs Bakker Frédéric Braham        Mike Bray        Gisa Elmer        Karl Fritsch          Anya Kivarkis Mia Maljojoki        Trevor Mahovsky Karin Seufert       Kevin Yates        Rhonda Weppler

Hop over a few states to Indiana at Ball State University’s Atrium Art Gallery for a recycled art show, Reclaim Reuse Renew, through Sept 26. Artists who use  post consumer materials, leaving a lighter footprint with their art. The big names in this show are: Michelle Stitzlen, Boris Bally, Leo Sewell, and of course, Harriete Estel Berman. (Note that the images below do not neccessarily depict the exact work in the show, but rather give an example of their styles.)

Harriete Estel Berman's tin teacups

Leo Sewell's assemblage

Michelle Stitzlen's Butterfly

Boris Bally's use of traffic signs

Come join Christine Dhein and I for another fabulous Recycled Artwork exhibition, called “re/PURPOSE“, at the African American Art & Culture Complex. The Opening Reception is this Thursday, July 23 from 6-8pm. Our lovely mannequin possé is out yet again, sporting circuit boards and LEGO pieces, in a primo spot, enticing you to enter the show…. Other artists in the show (curated by the lovely Samara Rivers) include: Evan Bissell, Wosene Kosrof, Moses Nornberg, and William Rhodes. Should be a great party: funk dj and wine and cheese for our show, and another art opening upstairs, “Simply Nina“, celebrating Nina Simone, with a live jazz singer singing Nina’s songs.

The AAACC is located at 762 Fulton St @ Webster. Stop by and say hi!

To add to my incredible emiko-o Month of Press (someone recently asked me “Who does your PR?”, and i was like, uhhhhh…you mean me?), the current issue of Metalsmith features My First Royal Jewels Collection, starting on page 46. An intelligent and interesting article, “Mining History: Ornamentalism Revisted“, written by Namita Gupta Wiggers (curator of Museum of Contemporary Craft, Portland OR) and Lena Vigna (curator, Miami University Art Museum, OH), takes us on a tour of contemporary jewelers (myself included) whose work harkens back to an earlier period of the decorative arts . I was overjoyed and floored that a full-page image of my Queen Margherita necklace was presented opposite the title page!

I really  had no idea that a return to ornamentalism was happening on a larger scale until I saw the Decorative Resurgance show that my work was in (and won first place for) this May at Rowan University. Then this article came out and now I’m seeing more and more exhibitions pop up in this vein. Works for me!

metalsmith article

Queen Margherita in Metalsmith

Craft Tiara

My recycled glass tiara makes it debut at the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC on Thursday, July 16, for the GlassWear exhibition (it’s been traveling all over the world and US since 2007!). And what better way to kick-off than by being mentioned in a NYTimes Style Magazine article! Slick. The opening was tonite (July 15), and sadly, I could not be there in person, but my pal Alecia Wesner went in my place (fellow jeweler and SU alum, check out her site), and filled me in on how FABULOUS it was (Fern Mallis was spotted!). Apparently my tiara is in the front display case. Can’t wait to see it in September….

NYTimes Style Magazine

Cygne Noir necklace

Well, it only took me 6 weeks to finish the photos for the 2 new necklaces I made for SNAG’s Jewelry In Motion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art this May. Cygne Noir (pictured left) and Blue Steel (see below, left) are the latest editions to the My First Royal Jewels Collection, reinterpreting works by Lalique and Boucheron, respectively.

The photo shoot was well worth the wait, as I discovered that Calumet Photographic rents Canon lenses, specifically the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS. LOVE IT! For $30/day I can finally shoot portraits of my jewelry with the appropriate lens and not have to stand 20 feet away from the model. And to think that I was considering plunking down $1300 for the lens new! One of the many reasons I love living in the Mission.

Jamielyn in Cygne Noir

Thanks to my gorgeously photogenic model, Jamielyn, who graciously let me squeeze her into what seemed like a size -0 david’s bridal dress from Mission Thrift (another plus for the hood!). And also get powdered white for a few hours. Special thanks to Shana Astrachan‘s makeup artistry in helping realize my 18th century aristocratic vision! Go team!

Blue Steel necklace

See more of the photos on my flickr.

Yet another article by ReadyMade magazine, this one a bit different than the “Miss Modular” online article from last month. Currently on the newstands for the June/July issue, check out pages 18-19, I’m featured as a Maker in “A Lesson in Legos“  by Kathy Barnes (note: what appears to be a mispelling of LEGO is not, but rather a style sheet rule that the magazine follows).

emiko-o in ReadyMade

co-jurors of decorative resurgance

May 24, Afternoon at Rowan University Gallery in Glassboro, NJ
Checked out of the Loews Sunday morning, and headed over the Walt Whitman Bridge to Jersey to see my last show of SNAG Revolution 2009. Certainly worth the field trip, co-jurors Jill Baker Gower and Jessica Calderwood did a fantastic job putting together Decorative Resurgance. Out of 429 entries, 90 pieces were selected, representing 72 artists.
“We were particularly interested in work that was not only exquisitely crafted, but also successfully re-contextualized the chosen historical decorative influence into thoughtful and contemporary art as well as illustrated research and knowledge of the decorative inspiration.”–excerpt from the Jurors’ Statement.

Accompanying the show is an attractive catalog, with a lovely forward by Jennifer Zwilling (Curatorial Assistant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art), made possible by a grant from the Art Jewelry Forum.
Juror Awards were given to: 1st Place — my LEGO® Duchess 2 Cartier reinterpretation; 2nd Place — Miel-Margarita Paredes for her subtle “Gnaw” floral/rodent wall installation, 3rd Place — Becky Chader‘s multi-layered “Reliquary for a Styrofoam Peanut”.

miel-margarita paredes "Gnaw"

Becky Chader's "Reliquary for Styrofoam Peanut"

Duchess 2 by emiko

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Jewelry in Motion at the Philadelphia Museum of Art was certainly a highlight of Day 2. All 34 of us who were showing in the event were corraled into the main entry in front of the grand staircase inside the museum, and given brief instruction on the catwalk, stair placement, and order of artists.

Here is just a sampling of images: James Thurman‘s Book Jacket of recycled book covers, and Anthony Tammaro‘s Here I Am chandelier-like neckpiece with bells that chimed. Below that is Christine Bossler‘s Inhibit reverse arm pieces of monofilament and pearls.

James Thurman and Anthony Tammaro's piece

Christine Bossler's Inhibit

Curated by Gail Brown and organized by Marjorie Simon, everything fell into place, from the live music by Alex Styer, choreographed dancers from Jeanne Ruddy Dance, and witty emcees Lola Brooks and Jonathan Wahl.

Jewelry In Motion (photo by Jennifer Crupi)

There really is no better way to show jewelry than on the body, and after the show was over and we all descended the stairs and made our way off the catwalk, the cameras continued snapping and countless curious audience members introduced themselves to us to inspect the pieces.

emiko's jewelry in motion

Here I am (center) with SNAG member Alecia Wesner and my partner in catwalk crime, Christi Swier. The debut of my latest creations, Blue Steel (Boucheron replica), and Cygne Noir (Lalique replica). The costume designer in me couldn’t resist the opportunity to be theatrical with the 18th century wigs and ball gowns, especially after my Cher appearance at SNAG 05 at the Rock and Roll Hall. I encourage everyone who participates in future Jewelry In Motions to consider their entire get-up just as you would the display of your pieces in a gallery. Not only are you memorable, but it’s the best opportunity to meet TONS of people. Next JIM is SNAG ’10 in Houston, so start designing now!

If you TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS of Jewelry in Motion, please let me know and I’ll post your links. So far, Jennifer Crupi has her images up on Picasa and Jennifer Zwilling has images on Flickr .  SNAG photographer, Phil Renato, has some raw b&w images on Flickr. And there were rumors that a local TV station was filming…I’ll keep you posted.

A few weeks ago I got a call from ReadyMade magazine, which was interested in writing a story about me and my LEGO work (they had a LEGO focus and found me on Etsy). So not only will you see me in next month’s print issue on the newstands, but I was also interviewed by the lovely Katherine Sharpe, the new online editor for this article that went online today! Definitely one of the best written interviews I’ve had so far. She calls me “Miss Modular”, and I have to say I find it quite catchy and appropriate. Go to ReadyMade to read the article.

I’ve got less than 24 hours to get everything ready for the SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) “Revolution” conference in Philadelphia–the heat is on, to pack, and finish my new pieces (see Cygne Noir in progress, to right) for the Jewelry In Motion runway show on Thursday, May 21 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

SNAG has tapped me to be an official blogger for the conference, along with Francesca Vitali and Gabriel Craig. Check our bios and links to their blogs on the SNAG Conference page. Stay tuned here for updates and images from the conference, starting Wednesday, May 20.

Just got the exciting news that my Duchess 2 neckpiece won 1st Place Juror’s Choice Award at the Decorative Resurgance exhibition at Rowan Gallery! Definitely took me by surprise; I had to read the letter twice before it really kicked in that I wasn’t imagining things. So glad that I delayed my flight leaving the SNAG conference so that I could attend the Artist Reception for this show on May 24. For those of you who live near Glassboro, NJ, come join me at the reception! This award could explain the use of the Duchess 2 image on the SNAG Conference Exhibitions page (scroll to the bottom)….