kinetic charms

Working with movement. I want to build kinetic charms, charms that move and tinkle. Using the symbol of the sun. I like their form and pivot but are they too literal?

I like the idea of the breeze and movement being in control. giving up control. giving up to the elements.

What works with the top image charms is the different edgings and materials, the different textures and lustres. But I don't feel they are constructed out of intriguing enough materials, the cardboard looks drab and a more intriguing use of chain needs to be employed.

Screen shots from Howl's moving Castle.

 

My space  #space #charms

Grottos and magic.

I adore this shot from Howl's moving Castle, in Howls room(grotto) surrounded by magical charms and talisments, twinkling and watching.

I think my space is starting to echo this in its own way.

All for the Mountain
A jewellery designer I came across, Carly Margolis seems to have a very interesting view on narrative and her output. I am not personally completely sold by the finished pieces but her approach excites me. Working predominantly in metal work, Margolis creates these fusions of futuristic,  apocalyptic, new age, sci-fi with a hint of a past tribal influence visions. Each collection having its own clearly defined chronicle.

I also really like her drawings, although am unsure of what this one is to represent, I like to pretend it is a preliminary drawing before the creation of a jewellery piece, but I fear it is not.

"They are meant to resemble miniature kingdoms"

Her website is also really visually pleasing and complements her work. The way her pieces have also been photographed and digitally styled I feel also represents her narrative. Her jewellery pieces hand crafted, age old traditions yet showcased in a very digital forward facing manner.

It is the approach to the whole process that I am interested in, her online presence, art direction and narrative. Creating further intersting work through the showcasing and modeling of her actual design product. It is this approach I take inspiration from, working with your theme throughout and the use of having a strong online presence.


Separate point, separate artist, a diy aesthetic

Marolis, C. Design Drawing. All for the Mountain. [Online image] [Accessed on 16 October 2013]  http://allforthemountain.tumblr.com/

Marolis, C. Elevators. All for the Moutain. [Online image] [Accessed on 16 October 2013]
http://allforthemountain.tumblr.com/

Charms.
A beginning point
 To start my advancements into the idea of the spirit and the charm I decided to look at an object that I bought back with me from my travels. To see if i could visually dissect and imitate it, then giving me  the skills to build.
From a street seller in Bangkok we came across these "lucky" necklaces, where he had taken a series of charms, precious stones and Buddha offerings, created a sort of cage like pocket, a safety net, for which the object to sit in, before using a macrame technique to create the fastener of the charm. By firstly imitating it I could then move on to try it out with different materials and colour combinations. Looking at using wire, plastic ribbon and embroidery thread.

An interesting point of view that came to light through these constructions was the use of the ribbon to imitate a metal like appearance. I have been doing a lot of research into jewelers and jewellery design and one thing I have been finding of difficulty is alot of work i find interesting is metal work. This is a skill I currently don't have access to but instead of spending time wishing on metal, I should be spending time dreaming up alternatives, something that could potentially spark far more intrigue. These above charms I think move in that direction and fitting with my brief of using accessible materials. But I am unsure as to how to take these charms forward.

Practice

To begin.
Spanning from a summer of colour and experiences traveling around Southeast Asia, I will use this project to explore colour and offerings and spiritualism all with a DIY makeshift sensibility. Beauty in the basics.

the summer to act as a manifesto for my project.
a thrifty, accessible use of materials.
colour gone wild.
"fun" is important.
a space to dream.