Ornament and Illusion – Spectrum of contemporary jewelry is the first jewelry exhibition organized by the MMCA. As the first in-depth exploration of contemporary jewelry at one of Korea’s most representative art institutions, this is truly a landmark exhibition, featuring 44 contemporary jewelry artists who are active both domestically and internationally, and a total of about 270 works that estmplify the aforementioned major features of contemporary jewelry.
The exhibited works are categorized into four sections according to their main characteristics: « Materials: Endless Panorama« ; « Aesthetics: Beauty through Abstract Forms« ; « Narrative: Scenes of Expression and Allusion« ; « Process: Exploring Texhniques. » Each category includes works by eleven artists.
The « Materials » section presents works that demonstrate the expansion of materials at play in contemporary jewelry, revealing how today’s artists employ new and various materials to undermine conventions and produce wondrous visual configurations. This section also explores how the individual materials can be effectively combined to create the most exquisite compositions within the limited realm of jewelry.
The « Aesthetics » section includes works that attempt to embody pure or compressed aesthetics through abstract forms. The jewelry in this section is primarily made of metal, yet it displays an amazing thematic and formal diversity. Through their refined, dense forms, these stunning works create a subtle but enduring emmotional resonance with viewers.
The « Narrative » section offers works that highlight some experimental and conceptual approaches to contemporary jewelry, including pieces that examine jewelry’s limitations and identity, the artist’s own psycholigy, and a variety of social interests.
Finally, the « Process » section features works that epitomize the depth and mastery of porduction techniques, including both eastern and western traditional methods, such as the inlaid wire technique the « marriage of metal » technique, and new industrial techniques like RP and Todigital printing.
Today’s jewelry artists are using their craft to freely express their ideas and make important artistic statements. But even as contemporary jewelry has developed into an independent and autonomous field, it remains somewhat subsidiary in certain respects. Although jewelry has freed itself from some of the structural restrictions associated with other daily necessities and household items, it still has one remaining limitation: the human body. Jewelry must always function in harmony with the person wearing it. It is, by nature, an accessory, which implies a level of restriction and subordination. In addition, jewelry can never completely free itself from the techniques needed to process the materials. But this duality is the source of the true beauty of contemporary jewelry. Its functional and technical dependence may be seen as an obstacle or limitation, but it also provides endless opportunities for exploration and experimentation with the very identity of jewelry.
The radical movements within contemporary jewelry have recognized these dependencies as shackles, and have recognized these dependencies as shackles, and have naturally tried to escape from them. Inevitably, of course, such efforts are doomed to failure, because any attempt to cast off these shackles results in objects that have been transformed into something other than jewelry.
Contemporary jewelry, which seems primarily concerned with pursuing new forms and methods, still represents the continuation of a very long human tradition; yet remarkably, despite this longevity, this field, which produces such fascinating and dazzling objects, is still not very well known or understood. This exhibition aims to capture viewers’ imagination and ignite a fresh appreciation for these brilliand works of art, which materialize the inner mind of the artist while embodying the height of expert craftsmanship.
Sooyeon Kim – « Chimney of Providence » – material : Photograph Paper, Epoxy Resin, Barnish, Fine Silver, Sergical Steel Wire (Pinback) 12 x 120 x 66 mm
Jang Jeong-suk, Flower neckpiece, 2005
Yun Sanghee, Neckpiece, 2009
313, Gwangmyeong-ro, Gwacheon-si Gyeonggi-do, 427-701, Korea
Tel +82 (0)2 2188 6114
Fax +82 (0)2 2188 6124
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MOCA), Korea.
https://www.facebook.com/nmocakorea
Heejoo Kim Ring: The Present, 2014 Enameled Cooper
Hyorim Lee Necklace: Untitled, 2014 Leather, beads
Adam Grinovich Ring: Untitled, 2014 3D print, stainless steel
Nora Rochel Object: Story Untold, 2014 Bees wax 10 x 10 x 10 cm
