aetacultural

Different Tempers
February 5 - March 28, 2010

While jewelry and blacksmithing are both grounded in metal, there is a curious gulf between the two fields and the practitioners remain distant in spite of their shared medium. Different Tempers explores these two realms of metalsmithing to highlight their distinct properties as well as their commonalities.Curated by Suzanne Ramljak, editor of Metalsmith magazine, the exhibition showcases the work of fourteen prominent and emerging artists. In addition to representing their respective fields, these jewelers and blacksmiths also engage in critical dialogue with their own traditions and materials.Together, approximately 40 objects reveal the engaging range of work arising from both the jewler's bench and the blacksmtih's forge, spanning wearable ornament to large-scale sculpture. The full spectrum of metals will also be represented, incluing gold, platinum, fine and sterling silver, pewter, iron, and stainless and mild steel, in combination with other materials such as optical lenses, watch hands, nail polish, and hair.

Selections from the Exhibition :
Natasha Wozniak, Brocade Panel Pendant, 2007, blackened silver and 18k gold.Melanie Bilenker, Button, 2008, 18k gold, ebony, resin, pigment, hair