DESIGN NAME: Chiaroscuro
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Jewelry Collection
INSPIRATION: This body of work examines how one can be simultaneously drawn to places and feelings that are not always equally perceived yet naturally balanced.
They are a chiaroscuro of depth and interpretation creating a marble effect, elements combining over time, through pressure and heat, coming in and out of sight at different moments. When held together, each uniquely designed link portrays how one’s own perspective evolves and grows to exist as a whole.
THINGS ARE NOT BINARY.
They are a chiaroscuro of depth and interpretation creating a marble effect, elements combining over time, through pressure and heat, coming in and out of sight at different moments. When held together, each uniquely designed link portrays how one’s own perspective evolves and grows to exist as a whole.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A Jewelry collection exploring different iterations of a singular element in repetition to create a whole. Designing an individual link and pushing the boundaries to how it can be transformed with the use of material and technique combinations. Mirroring the uniqueness of the individual, a repetition of the same form in constant evolution, adding and subtracting but always growing. An exploration that has evolved with me and will continue to develop and change. This design is not only unique in its form but also in its process and materials. An intersection between traditional silversmith techniques and technological advances. A back and forth between Computer-Aided Design and organic exploration through the use of 3D printed ABS, natural dye, cast sterling silver and Swarovski sponsored crystals. Reflecting the concept itself. A combination of elements that change over time being held together by history and contemporaneity.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: These links are 3d printed already connected so there is beautiful movement while wearing and the material makes them extremely weightless. The sterling silver adds the little bit of weight needed to remind yourself you are wearing earrings and the dye/beading is beautiful on the back so the earrings look great from all angles. It performs better because sterling silver can be easily polished and the 3D prints are easy to wipe clean if necessary.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in Sept 2019 and ended in March 2020. Exhibition at the Savannah College of Art and Design cancelled due to COVID-19. Exhibited virtually.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: This design was made through a combination of traditional silversmith techniques and materials hand in hand with contemporary processes. A combination of the organic and the predetermined results of computer-aided design.
Starting with introspection and taking that to pen and paper through sketching and moving that into 3D modelling programmes. Letting go of my control through the process by 3D printing already connected links in an industry-standard prototyping material (ABS - thermoplastic polymer) with countless failures until achieving a fully printed linked piece. Manipulating the results with organic processes such as dyeing and beading, letting the materials speak to me and following along the curves and ridges. Enhancing the texture normally seen as low quality. It was a constant exploration of the form and the boundaries of linkage. Making rubber moulds in order to make waxes of the 3D prints that could be transformed further with additive/subtractive methods. Casting those results in sterling silver through traditional casting techniques and unifying them with the 3D printed/dyed thermoplastic polymer to create a cohesive connection. Even though each piece starts with the same form, they all end up as completely unique and impossible to re-create exactly.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: w 37mm x d 12 x h 133.5
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RESEARCH ABSTRACT: -
CHALLENGE: -
ADDED DATE: 2020-09-06 20:22:42
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Maya McCormack, 2020.
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