The New Jewelry from LATIN AMERICA – « joyas jóias »

Velvet da Vinci continues its survey of contemporary international jewelry with an exhibition of rarely seen work from Latin American artists with « joyas jóias » exhibition (sept 2004)
Many countries in Latin America have traditions of silver and gold work well before the Spanish and Portugese colonialization.  ….. experimental, contemporary work is rarely seen
The exhibition features the work of 30 artists from six Latin American countries with a special emphasis on the exciting work from Argentina. Some of these artists have studied abroad and reflect current trends in contemporary art jewelry, while others have a singular vision unlike any other work now being made. 

 

Participating artists:
Stella Alonso, Argentina • Clara Inés Arana, Colombia • Karina Badaracco, Argentina • Jimena Bello, Colombia • Viviana Carriquiry, Argentina • Jorge Castañón, Argentina • María de los Angeles Matos, Puerto Rico • Susana de Muro, Argentina • Paulina del Fierro, Chile • Susana Ditisheim, Argentina • Nicolás Estrada, Colombia • Fabiana Gadano, Argentina • Elisa Gulminelli, Argentina • Patricia Gurgel Segrillo, Brazil • Marco Huizar, Mexico • Guigui Kohon, Argentina • Francisca Kweitel, Argentina • Anastasia Mamlai, Chile • Sandra Manin Frias, Brazil • Aurorisa Mateo, Puerto Rico • Flavia Mina, Argentina • Marina Molinelli Wells, Argentina • Ana Nadjar, Chile • Germán Páez Morales, Colombia • Montserrat Pascual Salat, Mexico • Mónica Perez, Chile • Eduardo Rubio Arzate, Mexico • Mariana Sammartino, Argentina • Daniela Schwartz, Argentina • Agnes Seebass, Mexico • Paulo Segatto, Brazil • Claudia Vallejo, Colombia

Daniela Schwartz (Arg.) Bracelet & necklace

Paulina del Fierro (Chile) Rings & necklace

Fabiana Gadano (Arg.) Bracelet
Patricia Gurgel Segrillo (Brasil) Necklace

Patricia Gurgel Segrillo (Brasil) ring
Francisca Kweitel (Arg.) « Siempre Presente »  Brooch

 Jimena Bello (Col.) – Rings

Mónica Pérez (Chile) Flower Ring
Aurorisa Mateo Simpson (Puerto Rico) Ring  & Square Hole Ring

Aurorisa Mateo Simpson  Flat Bracelet, Zig Zag Bracelet &  Ellipse Bracelet

Stella Alonso (Arg.) Genesis Pendant
Susana de Muro (Arg.) Magic Dream Necklace

Maria de los Angeles Matos (Puerto Rico) ‘Moving Waves’ Ring  &  ‘Inner Soul I’ Ring

 Marina Molinelli Wells (Arg.) Neckpieces

Sandra Manin Frias (Brasil) Necklaces

Mariana Sammartino  (Arg.)  « Cruz del Sur » Bracelet  &  « Sonora » Brooch

COUP de COEUR ! Mariana Sammartino – plissages de métal

Former industrial designer Mariana Sammartino fashions jewelry by manipulating metal into delicate, organza-like layers..

Superbes plissés de métal qui rappellent très justement, comme le suggère le titre d’un de ses bracelets : « Miyake », les plissés textiles du couturier Issey Miyake.

« I grew up in Argentina, and I’ve spent most of my adult life living, studying, working, and traveling in several different countries. I currently reside in the United States.
In search of my own identity against the backdrop of shifting settings and diverse cultures I’ve become a keen observant and critic of my surroundings.
I’m deeply provoked by the clashing and intersecting between the natural and the man-made in urban environments, a relationship that can be simultaneously contradictory and complimentary. In their interaction I discover abstract spatial relationships that I perceive as still images, yet as hardly static. Those framed formal compositions are altered by the observer’s view point, preconceptions, and disposition.
I’m interested in exploring the dynamism of the object relative to the perception and interpretation of those who engage in it: the maker, the viewer, and the wearer.
In my work I translate the coexistence of conflict and harmony by bringing together dissimilar materials to rely upon each other. Modern, industrial, tough, austere stainless steel in the form of mesh cloth becomes a pliable, sensuous, graceful component supported by minimal and geometrically severe silver or gold structures downplaying their opulence and preciousness.
I’m inspired by the inherent characteristics of stainless steel mesh. I’m intrigued by the possibilities it offers for exploration and expression. I enjoy removing it from its original context and assigning it a new purpose, letting the material respond to or resist my ideas. I transform an industrial commodity into a prized object by making thoughtful design, intuitive material manipulation, and thorough process integral to the entire concept.
My jewelry reflects the constant mélange, disparity, and contradiction that occurs within myself and my surroundings, and it’s the product of my need to create harmony assembling different elements that merge in a balanced whole.
While my background in architecture and industrial design has helped shape my current work, in the metalsmith’s studio is where I’m able to develop both as a designer and maker, being in complete control of the piece from conception to realization. I’ve been a full time studio jeweler for the past five years producing one of a kind and custom work.  »

Mariana Sammartino – ‘Avenida Atlantica’ bracelet-Stainless steel mesh, gold, diamonds (Photo: David Katz)
« Sonora » brooch 

« Cruz del Sur » Bracelet    —   « Miyake » Bracelet

« City of Lights » Brooch