UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 10 APRIL 2019
Visiting key industry trade fairs is an essential element of developing as a designer and maker. 48 BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects students recently visited Schmuck – an event with 60-year history held in Munich that showcases contemporary jewellery by both established and up-and-coming designers from all around the world.
This yearly event is the most significant and prestigious event on the contemporary jewellery calendar and features not only artist-run exhibitions but also lectures, book launches, presentations, award ceremonies, meetings, and much more. In just three days students visited 30 venues and had the opportunity to see work of over 250 Jewellery artists and makers.
It was a chance for students to meet other jewellery enthusiasts, collectors, gallery owners and museum curators from around the world, and to see the best-of-the-best of contemporary jewellery. During the Munich Jewellery Week students made great connections and experienced cultural exchange, which improved students’ knowledge of the latest trends in terms of style and design in the jewellery market.
Not only that, two Jewellery and Objects graduates celebrated their work being featured in the highly selected group exhibition ‘Talante 2019’ which presents works by 103 young and talented artists, designers and craftsmen from 30 countries and 11 different fields.
The week's itinerary also included a private view to one of the exhibitions and Schmuck party which closed the Munich Jewellery Week. Alongside visiting the exhibition, students were able to spend some time enjoying the culture, food and shopping.
A key aspect of working in the jewellery industry is understanding trends and processes across the world and looking into different cultural surroundings, and this trip achieved both. Visiting Schmuck gave students a better understanding of the selected field in which they’re practising.
It wasn’t just the students who got involved with the exhibition. Head of School Professor Stephen Bottomley curated a contemporary exhibition of iron in ‘FERROcity’. Initially housed in the GeoSciences Museum, the exhibition later travelled to Vittoria Street Gallery as part of the School of Jewellery.
Two further members of the School of Jewellery had their work on show as part of Schmuck – Jewellery and Objects lecturer Drew Markou with colleague Bridie Lander featured their work under the Umbrella theme ‘Polyphonus’, and Professor Jivan Astflack alongside external artists created a hub of pop-up exhibitions ‘Whispers & Cries’ for Munich Jewellery Week and displayed her piece.