It's been a while since I posted and being back here means a lot to me mostly because it implies that I have earned me some time and space to look into things I love, research, learn, be inspired and ultimately create.
This year's guest artist of Joya Barcelona art jewllery fair 2015 was Gigi Mariani, a fair as important as the invitation itself.
This video explains all the design and making process behind a piece, how technical skill and a soul for raw dark beauty produces little precious objects of wearable art to be adorned. I love how he makes the actual making seam simple. That's what a great design is all about, to not see all the hard work behind the product but the beauty and functionality of the object itself. Forever faithful to all these qualities.
"I have always been fascinated by the infinite potential that metals offer and the opportunity of transforming their original properties and aspect in order to stretch the scope of what can be achieved.
I avail myself of antique goldsmith techniques that have almost fallen into disuse,
I apply niello to the surface of the metal so that it is completely covered. In this way, the preciousness of the metal disappears leaving way to a dark, rough surface. Through the use of heat, I achieve cracks and clots resulting in surfaces that seem battered and ill-treated, resembling ancient relics.
My work is based on spontaneity and instinct. I try to transfer everyday emotions into my jewellery in an impulsive way."
GIGI MARIANI, 1957 – Modena – Italy
