So sorry for the absence! I've been going through all sorts of wonderful but crazy changes in my life and I wanted to share some new artists I've found with all of you!
First off! I'm absolutely in love with this Sedna's Tears necklace by SalmonberryDreams. Absolutely gorgeous, with splendid attention to details and intricacy.
Definitely a wonderful statement piece for anyone looking for elegance! Next up just in time for the warmer summer weather I am beyond in love with this Felted Pink Flowers Necklace by AVAoriginal. The flowers look real and show a beautiful, masterful approach to the materials.
Lots more beautiful items in both of these shops! I am always looking for new artists to write about, and I plan on updating this blog on a far more regular basis now. Have an artist you'd like to submit? Please do!
I look forward to hearing from you. melanie@melanielynndesign.com
So I wanted to share with all of your what's been keeping me so busy lately. I just finished my BFA Metals degree and presented my thesis work in the museum on campus from December 4-8. The following beautiful photos were taken of the installation by Koehl Loren Ehlers, klehlersphotographer@yahoo.com:
The following is my artist's statement concerning the body of work and what inspired me in this process.
Entropy: Endemic, Epidemic, Pandemic
Entropy explores the concept of entropy and its place in and on the human body. Many of the patterns in Entropy are inspired by medical imagery, primarily enlarged views of cell colonies (particularly those of diseases) reproducing, developing and overtaking their host. I was initially drawn to a series of images revealing close-up views of a variety of diseases. These images are incredibly beautiful, filled with repeating patterns and fractal-like designs. That beauty can be found in something considered so debilitating is a very intriguing juxtaposition. I have since been working with these models to design several pieces of jewelry referencing these patterns. This body of work is an attempt to bring that which lies beneath the skin to the surface, changing the destructive into the beautiful.
In finding beauty in the unlikely place of the world of microscopic diseases, I hope to subvert traditional stigmas regarding what is socially accepted as “beautiful”. I was curious in creating this work to see if conceptions of what is attractive would shift when viewers are informed that the work is based on the structure of debilitating diseases. If the viewer does, on first look, find the work “beautiful” will this remain to be the case upon finding out what the work is based on, or would the viewer be appalled that beauty could be found in devastating organisms.
Additionally, several of the patterns that were used in composing Entropy were developed in response to results gained from my use of John Conway’s “Game of Life”. “Life” is a physics model that, upon being set with starting variables, creates a visual representation of the way diseases spread through a given population. These three pieces,
Endemic, Epidemic and Pandemic, will follow the stages of growth of a disease, visualized as growth on the body, starting with endemic, moving to epidemic and finally pandemic.
In, Endemic, phase one, the outbreak is isolated, and is represented by a neckpiece and a wrist piece displayed on an extended hand that reaches towards phase two, Epidemic. Epidemic contains a neckpiece, two hand pieces and a variety of assorted brooches, representing the more widened spread of the outbreak. Finally, the last phase, Pandemic, contains one wrist piece and a vast quantity of brooches, varying in size from 5mm to several inches, both in 2D and 3D to showcase different levels of outbreak. This phase of the exhibition also includes tiny brooches each representing a cell cluster. These will be available to be worn by viewers enabling them to interact with this phase and expand the spreading of the “disease” throughout the exhibition.
By working in great quantities of small silicon rings I am able to not only create the illusion of growth, but also create a “fabric” of sorts, a highly flexible object that moves as its wearer moves, appearing fragile yet remaining incredibly resilient. This flexible nature allows pieces such as the larger pins, each having more than one pin stem, to be fixed around curves of the body, so that they follow the movements of the wearer. Each piece captures a frozen moment in this simulated expansion, yet will leave viewers with the feeling that the cells may shift at any second.
So, I recently stumbled across the work of Morphologica who states that
"I am in the final stages of completing my PhD in neuroscience, and have created Morphologica to have a bit of fun with a normally serious subject.
During my research, I have discovered that science can be surprisingly beautiful- single cells viewed under a microscope, intricate networks of cells important for learning and memory, and even the curving structure of the brain itself. I have tried to capture some of this beauty in the Morphologica pieces, focusing on the shape or morphology of a variety of subjects studied in neuroscience."
While I've been buried in my thesis work I was so thrilled to find more science related art to share with everyone! I hope you all love it as much as I do. It even utilizes laser cutting one of my favorite forms of technology. =)
Hello! I would like to do a bit of a juried exhibition here on my blog. Ah do I have your attention now? I would love to get all of you who see this to submit your best work. The theme is "New Jewelry". I am looking for work that breaks the mold. Not just breaks it, shatters it.
Submit your work by emailing it to me at melaniegreenberg3@gmail.com
Also I would love to offer a prize to the best in show! Perhaps a pair of earrings? Anyone else who would like to contribute something to give as a prize would be great!
So today I am going to be sharing the work of a new friend of mine. His designs are playful, whimsical and definitely smile inducing. Tadashi Koizumi creates a myriad of wonderful little creatures, tiny people in their own world, integrating into our own as well. His work is available at his etsy store, as linked above, and more can be seen at his website where he states about himself that he wants his work to inspire others to create. And with work this playful, unique and inspiring, how could you not want to go pick up your hammers and torch?
Don't you want a little person in your life? Tadashi and I are currently planning an art trade! I'm so excited to be able to make a piece for him and to have one of his works in return!
Thanks everyone for hanging in there with me as I make my way through my last semester. Today I found an artist who made work I just had to show. Wonderful felted works including these adorable pins are available in Shanineal's shop. About her self and her work Shanineal states that
"I have a deep love of color and an addiction to wool. Any way that I can find to play with these two is game for me. I also have an afinity for the days of yore. Those items that are vintage or just vintage in style. I most appreciate natural materials and use them in my work. I do have two bachelor degrees, one in Fine Art and one in Organic Horticulture. I like to think of my work as welding the two together."
Check out these adorable Love Button Brooches available in several colors. As a needle felter myself, I love seeing what people do with beautifully colored wools! I think this heart would look absolutely wonderful on the lapel of any blazer.
Also check out this Four Petals Brooch also available in several colors! At 3.5" this flower is sure to make a statement and brighten up your outfits! I love the subtle relief of the curved petals and the wonderful color contrast!
Be sure to check out all the wonderful items in her shop! She also has a wonderful assortment of great purses and bowls
Take care and stay stylish =)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Hello all, sorry for the lack of posts. This is my thesis semester of college and my head is sort of a muddled mess of things lately.
I will be back soon with new artists. Again, suggestions are always welcome, and if you would like to be interviewed let me know =)
