Trip

So when we were in Richmond over the holiday (all four days with two days of driving) We barely had time to gas up the ride. We did however stop in to the Quirk gallery. When we lived in Richmond both of our pads were almost across the street. We missed stopping in once a week. We were lucky enough to see Sparkle Plenty 7 and the vault show.  We miss Richmond so much.  Maybe one day we will move back. 

Sparkle Plenty 7: Organ/ism

The world is full of life and organisms that thrive in a multitude of ways. From the seemingly mundane to the flat-out bizarre, "things" have found a way to survive. People are both part of the living world, and manipulators of it. An ever-changing world and life's ability to adapt is the theme for this exhibition. The work presented shows a reverence for these creatures, the inner spark that ignites life, and the ability to survive.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

* Daniel DiCaprio courtesy of Charon Kransen Arts

* Emily Watson

* Hilary Pfeifer

* Jillian Moore

* Märta Mattsson courtesy of Sienna Gallery

* Masako Ondera

* Masumi Kataoka courtesy of Charon Kransen Arts

* Satomi Kawai

Suzanne Carlsen

This is Canadian-based Suzanne Carlsen's first solo exhibition in America. She explains, "Playing on our expectations of what jewelry is, presenting fresh ways of thinking about ornament, value and recognition - my work is void of the typical diamonds, rubies and pearls. I balance hand embroidery and metal to present social symbols in unusual garb That which appears, upon first impression, to be merely a cute miniature, ultimately reveals itself to be an icon of memory, commemorating our surroundings, imitating our everyday life, and questioning our traditional ideas of home and place."

For all of you traveling abroad.....

Liz and I will be going to Australia this summer to teach a workshop! We are stoked. It is a long trek. I hope the class fills. If you know anyone in Australia or New Zealand or really anywhere, there is a great line up. It should be a blast!!

bracelet (steel and paint)

New Years!!

Happy new year!! We had an awesome time with some wonderful people. Have a great 2012!!

Behind the Design of SANDBOX from LUNAR on Vimeo.

happy holidays

Brooch mild steel, stainless steel and paint.

More enamel

secret santa brooch

So now that the metals holiday party is over, I can reveal a new piece.

new metals studio training video?

laser etching on hardwood

3D hardwood cutting on the CNC

I have to train our GSAs (graduate studio assistants) on 3D cutting using the CNC machine today. I thought I would brush up on my skills. These are some solid maple boards. Oddly enough hardwood mills much faster than other materials. I am using a 1/2" ball end mill. Three roughing passes running at 4.1 IPS (inches per second) 18,000 rpms and two finishing passes running at 8 IPS and 18,000 rpms.

Talisman

core77

A talisman is a physical object that purports powers and meaning beyond the physical. Humans have been making talismans for centuries, we are wired to give physical objects meaning. Take for example an engagement ring. A band of metal with a polished stone mounted on it. It has no hard drive, no 4g connection, no moving parts and yet I can't think of another object that has a higher amount of meaning per ounce. It is the physical embodiment of a promise, of a future together. It embodies all the complexities of love, trust and hope in a single object. It is a tribal indicator to all who see it and a reminder to the wearer. Few gestures mean more than putting on an engagement ring.

I believe we have the ability to infuse a measured amount of meaning into more of the things we use everyday. We live in a world of products. Most people don't a own Picasso, nor do they live in a Frank Lloyd Wight home. They do however own watches, wear shoes, use toothbrushes and interact with their phones countless times per day. What would happen if we were able to put one tenth of the meaning from that engagement ring into the most common objects around us? How would that shift our behaviors? How can we expand our process for innovation to include meaning?

A digital device is also a talisman. It's physicality is imbued with a sense that this thing, this hunk of material, is actually a window into another world. It is a connection to everyone I know, and have yet to know, a gateway and filter to the world beyond me. A great digital device makes this known before you even turn it on. Our most treasured devices connect with us on an emotional level, even when they are just sitting on our nightstand charging. There is not a robust functional argument for these products to be made of metal and glass, but they are not really products at all. They are talismans.


All sketches by Michael DiTullo.

ring thing

Sterling silver, copper and enamel.

Creative Roots ep. Jim Cotter from Zac Layman on Vimeo.

Handmade Portraits: The Sword Maker from Etsy on Vimeo.