: "The Art of Gold," which opens April 3 and runs through August 8
at the Mint Museum of Craft + Design, presents 80 contemporary
gold objects, including jewelry, hollowware, vessels and small
sculptures in which gold is the essential focus.
The exhibition curator is Michael W. Monroe, former
Curator-in-Charge for the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian
American Art Museum. The exhibition and tour is organized by the
Society of North American Goldsmiths and Exhibits USA.
In contrast to mass-produced jewelry designed by specialists and
fabricated in a factory, the jewelry and objects showcased in
"The Art of Gold" are made by hand within a small studio setting.
"The art in the exhibition title references fine art
influences on contemporary goldsmiths, such as modernism,
minimalism, pop art, neo-Expressionism and conceptual art," noted
Melissa Post, curator.
"The studio goldsmith conceives innovative, aesthetic designs to
satisfy his or her own personal vision," wrote Michael Monroe in
the exhibition catalogue. "They are creating meaningful statement
through fabricated form, masterfully manipulating the elements of
art to achieve a clarity and unity of expression."
Studio jewelers are a relatively recent phenomenon, fueled by the
influx of WW II veterans enrolling in art schools on the GI bill.
The sculptor Alexander Calder is credited as being the first of
the breed developed during the post World War II modernist
movement. Calder's wildly inventive brass and silver jewelry was
shown alongside his sculpture in major galleries.
Modernism, with its dictates that useful design be rigorously
functional, was the major influence on the first generation of
studio goldsmiths. Ronald Hayes Pearson's "Torque 18-142"
exemplifies modernist jewelry with its smooth, minimal form, high
polish finish and beautiful craftsmanship in showcasing an
impressive amethyst stone.
The majority of gold jewelry and objects featured in "The Art of
Gold" are post modern, where craftsmen became free to play upon
jewelry conventions in amusing and provocative ways. The scale of
pieces expanded as the human body became a fashion pedestal for
sculpture.
Like other craft artists in the later 20th century, goldsmiths
began exploring new combinations of material, including glass,
ceramic, fabric, rubber and even paper in place of precious
stones. Don Friedlich's "Translucence Series Brooch" is a
geometrical design framing a pair of dichroic glass rods that
refract light into opposite colors. Ken Loeber's "Brooch 109512"
combines gold and coral. Perhaps most amazing is a ring created
by Kathy Buszkiewicz, "Omnia Vanitas II." A pearl is set within
what appears to be a green oval of classic symmetrical design
that is actually carefully shaped and finished paper currency.
The museum is at 220 North Tryon Street. For information,
704-337-2000 or www.mintmuseum.org.
