2_2_DiscoverBenelux_11_November_2014_Q9_Scan Magazine 1 06/11/2014 23:09 Page 83
Discover Benelux | Mini Theme | Jewellery
TOP LEFT: Marc Lange. BOTTOM LEFT: Luise Neugebauer. MIDDLE: Gretchen Raber. TOP RIGHT: Wu Ching Chih. BOTTOM RIGHT: Galerie Vanderlaag.
talent. Each year, SAF offers several jewellery departments from leading art-academies the chance to display their students’ work – for many this is often the first time they present it to a broad audience. If you are visiting Amsterdam and still in doubt whether you want to go to such a (financially) tempting event, rest assured; prices aren’t an obstacle, for there is jewellery to suit all purses, even from a few pounds and up. Ariane Ernst. Photo: Nevs Lue
to the public so the fair contributes to the economic independence of the jewellery artists thereby boosting the development of this discipline.
Launching platform This year, there will be over 225 artists from over 38 different countries. The emphasis lies on creativity; ideas come to life in materials like rubber, textile, photographs, plastics, glass, wood or ceramics, but also in silver and gold with the most beautiful precious stones. The classical goldsmith’s trade is also very well represented. But SAF is much more than just a fair. It offers a cross section of what is hot and happening in contemporary art jewellery. It is also a launching platform for emerging
nounce and confront and in doing so implicitly emphasize the human values and behaviour they respect,” as stated by the jury. SAF at the Gashouder WesterGasterrein in Amsterdam is held from 6 to 9 November. Entrance fee is €15 for one day or €20 for two days, children are free and concessions are available. www.sieraadartfair.com
Exhibition ‘Confrontations’ If you want to know what jewellery designers worldwide think about conflict and personal dilemma and abuse (social or otherwise), you should not miss the biennial exhibition New Traditional Jewellery (NTJ), a special feature at SAF. The exhibition offers individualistic views and interpretations of the theme ‘confrontations’. With its wide ranging displays coupled with very strong motivations behind the exhibits, NTJ proves that contemporary jewellery design has something to say. More than 300 jewellery designers from all parts of the world submitted work for this sixth edition of NTJ. The jury selected 45 pieces for the exhibition and five winners. “All aspects of the theme are represented, from the personal intimacy of growing old to social questions such as homophobia. Jewellery designers take a stand, de-
An example of a story behind a necklace: The necklace Link by Tove Rygg from Norway immediately catches the eye – not because of its distinct, but rather of its very subtle use of colour. During a labour-intensive process she crocheted long cords of gold, silver and high-grade steel. She added small precious stones and plaited the cords into one long chain, based on old chains of the Vikings. The various stones – haematite, smoky quartz, agate and peridote – are symbolic of the various aspects of the Norwegian landscape, such as its lakes, fjords and forests. The blood agate is a reference to Rygg’s own blood and personal relationship with her native country Norway.
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