Karen,
Traditional goldsmithing techniques must be learned before being able to break the rules.
Ya got it right. I love my fancy tools but they build on decades of
learning the traditional tools. I just have fewer rules these days
while still respecting and using the old ones.
Ludites from centuries past still roam the planet but yet manage to
use computers.
jeffD
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand
I don't know specific sources, Dave, but you might start with model railroad hobby shop supplies.
I don’t really know anything about this, but a search for “led
electronics” brought up much. For one:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1fe
For two:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/1ff
Micro Mark has model railroad supplies.
Linda
I’m not nay-naying this endeavor. But would just like to point out
one obvious (to me) point that hasn’t been mentioned. Obsolescence.
Advances in electronics march on at an unparalleled pace. Anyone
remember typewriters, 8-tracks, cassette tapes? Imagine how much
unique was lost when those were replaced? I do a lot of
photography work, and in the old days (how do the kids say? “back
in the day?”) shot mostly 35mm slide transparencies. I have an old
(obviously!) slide projector that recently blew its bulb. You cannot
imagine how difficult it was to find one!So just consider that issue
with technology-tied adaptations to jewelry. I live in NYC, and
constantly view the Ancient Egyptian section of the Met. I could
wear any of that right now and stop traffic in Times Square.
Gary Strickland, GJG
Leonid,
Typically you have very good comments with solid, knowledgeable
insights, but you make it difficult to take your writing seriously
after reading your comment about conceptual jewelry. You might want
to take a closer look at the work of some of your colleagues on
Orchid. Much of their work is extremely well crafted, conceptual and
is definitely jewelry.
All,
For crying out loud, I wasn’t intending to use a full size LED with
round plastic case from Radio Shack. For those who don’t know what a
flip-chip package is, it is essentially the tiny bit of integrated
circuit die, approximately 1/16 of an inch square, which cannot
typically be hand-soldered but people have been able to do it anyway
with great care.
Such a beastie can usually be mounted discreetly, but great care has
to be taken that the rails it is mounted on do not tear the device
apart.
I imagine that a hearing aid size battery holder can be fashioned
out of the underside of a piece of semiprecious stone. I don’t think
these chips can be powered by sweat yet, although someday maybe they
can.
Sometimes I wonder about whether our definition of rare or precious
is more or less a matter of perception.
Consider this as a mental exercise:
Let’s assume that a few million years ago an elder race existed who
made flip chips in modest quantities. A very few of these chips wind
up in fossils, which are now dissected by the paleontologists. A few
jewelers now incorporate these archaic diodes into classical
jewelery. These are rare, precious, and old, so by that definition
would that fit Leonid’s definition of proper?
Typically you have very good comments with solid, knowledgeable insights, but you make it difficult to take your writing seriously after reading your comment about conceptual jewelry. You might want to take a closer look at the work of some of your colleagues on Orchid. Much of their work is extremely well crafted, conceptual and is definitely jewelry.
Rest assured that my opinion about concept jewellery is based on
examination of actual work displayed in high end galleries in new
york city, exhibition of concept jewellery held in Paris, which I
attended, auction catalogues where such work sporadically arrears,
and other sources. Time after time, examination after examination,
only have reinforced my opinion. I am not sure what is your
definition of “well crafted” is, but what I saw was barely passable
even in most generous sense, and well bellow fine jewellery
standarts.
Leonid Surpin
I’m coming in late on this discussion but couldn’t help but pass this
on. I was recently viewing the jewelry for a fashion show and saw one
of the most gorgeous, led jewelry pieces I’ve ever seen. The led’s
were put inside of a custom made glass neckpiece with crystals and
such attached. At first I thought the concept would be tacky but good
jewelry designers can pull anything off, seriously…
Lisa Van Herik
wovenwirestudio.com
The led's were put inside of a custom made glass neckpiece with crystals and such attached. At first I thought the concept would be tacky but good jewelry designers can pull anything off, seriously.....
The phrase “pull anything off” defines the nature of the argument.
Goldsmithing is an art of restrained elegance. There is never a need
to pull something off. Goldsmith knows the boundaries between
tasteless glitter and aristocratic sheen. It takes training and
education, but efforts are well worth it. Because (borrowing from Guy
de Maupassant) lack of intellect can be concealed by avoiding
arguments; lack of education can be concealed by plagiarism; but the
disharmony between a tie and socks is blinding.
Leonid Surpin
Goldsmith knows the boundaries between tasteless glitter and aristocratic sheen.
I’m quite sure that the “real” goldsmiths know that" and don’t need
to be told again. If you are constantly concerned that people on this
list ONLY follow what “real” goldsmiths know, then you need to
restrict the use of this list.
I am not in the group termed “real goldsmiths”. I am a basic
metalsmith, I am 80 years old, I have one heck of a good time
“pulling off” any number of “fun” projects. I do make decent jewelry
(wouldn’t dare call it “fine jewelry”) when I want to, but I do enjoy
“playing” with metal and beads. Am having fun this weekend making
shark’s teeth jewelry for my grandsons who at 8 and 10 don’t really
care whether it is made by a “real goldsmith” or bought at the dime
store. They are just wowed by the real sharks teeth (which
incidentally I found on the beach when I was their age). When I
joined this list, I had no idea it was going to be so “judgmental”.
And as long as I am writing, let me say I think the idea of
“electronically” enhanced jewelry is great. We live in a very
advanced time and I am constantly amazed at what is being developed.
It’s time to get in stride with the current times - nice to try and
maintain the “old” ways of doing and living, but time is marching on.
I no longer care about “being seen” in the proper places, wearing the
proper things - I no longer feel that “things” define me - just one
of the advantages of being 80.
Kay
Love that quote!
Your argument on aesthetics cannot be upheld, Leonid. You are arguing
for a model you hold as empirical (observable) truth. In Aesthetics,
there are innumerable variations because there are innumerable
cultures, eras, and expressions to be made visible. One era’s
Brueghel is another era’s Picasso ( Guernica). Both express outrage
with vehemence, both crossed boundaries. Some only like the style of
Lalique and find Cartier heavy-handed and vulgar. As metalsmiths, we
have achieved highlight and shadow through form, polish, coloring
agents, stones. A light from within wasn’t part of our vocabulary as
candles and then electricity weren’t safe or practical. An led light
seems no different to me than using any other method to have an
affect on the viewer. Permanence is an issue if the piece is meant to
be valued over time and not just a fashion statement. I think part of
this argument is linguistic…is one a metalsmith who employs good
design and artistry or is one an artist employing metal skills as a
means to achieve 3 dimensional art? We arent’ necessarily one or the
other exclusively.
Marianne
William & Marianne Hunter
www.hunter-studios.com
In Aesthetics, there are innumerable variations because there are innumerable cultures, eras, and expressions to be made visible.
But I am not a spokesman for all Humanity. I am only expressing what
is acceptable to me and what is not.
Leonid Surpin
But I am not a spokesman for all Humanity. I am only expressing what is acceptable to me and what is not.
And yet your posts speak in declarative, absolute terms. I can’t
recall reading once in your posts, until now, that you were
expressing a personal preference or even an opinion…
And yet your posts speak in declarative, absolute terms. I can't recall reading once in your posts, until now, that you were expressing a personal preference or even an opinion
Just because I express my opinion, it does not mean that I have to be
meek about it. And of course it is in absolute terms, from my point
of view.
Leonid Surpin