first crit

Today we set up the jewellery workshop...

I'm so digging working in the round. It reminds me of being back at college. When I was at Sydney College of the Arts the first year studio had 3 of these benches but they had six spots at each bench. It's great in a learning environment. I originally chose the spot where you can see my "keep cup" and crumpler bag but changed places as two of the students who were friends wanted to be split up. I'm now sitting at the spot in the bottom left of the picture.

Here is my meagre assortment of tools. A result of a 20kg luggage limit. Others (those who could drive) are more fortunately endowed...

I wish!

And so, we spent the morning presenting our work to the group. Our first crit, so to say!

Sooyeon (Korea) discussing her work with Manuel. Sooyeon studied at the Rhode Island School of Design in the US. What you see on the laptop screen is made from paper.

Samira (Munich) also showing work made from paper. Samira has just completed her Graphic Design degree and her final presentation was paper jewellery. Anje and Elisabeth look on.

Flora Vagi on the left is Manuel's assistant and an artist whose work I have long admired, Sooyeon (standing), Melanie (Austria) and Peter (Germany)

rapt attention
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If I was in Melbourne part 2

I would also be going to this exhibition by Helen Bowman...

Helen recently graduated from RMIT after studying at NMIT Greensborough (Vale).

I'm really sorry to be missing this show as I covet both of those brooches in the image above.

Also... Don't forget that if you have a show coming up, send the information over to Karen at The Melbourne Jeweller blog. Everyone who's anyone reads it!
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If I was in Melbourne part 1

I would be going to this exhibition by Claire McArdle...

If you haven't been, Guildford Lane Gallery is an Ace Space! It's right near RMIT and they have a number of galleries over a few floors and there's a bar downstairs!

Claire is an honours student at RMIT and every time I see her work I feel excited about the possibilities for jewellery generally. She's crazy!
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What is Jewellery?

What IS Jewellery?

Can you see my contribution? At the top?

Manuel is amazing (heart)! He has got us thinking jewellery and talking jewellery and debating jewellery and feeling jewellery. And it's only day 2! All of a sudden jewellery is a whole new concept for me. I love it when you get that fresh, excited, anticipation about something new. But this something has been my life for the last 15 or so years! It's like a second honeymoon.

practical demonstration!

Elizabeth (Austria), Anje (Germany) and Sateeta (Thailand) in rapt attention. There are 12 of us in the workshop.

Jacqueline (Brasil via Germany), Samira (Germany), Wolfgang (Austria), Melanie (Austria) and Peter (Germany via Austria) being interrogated by Manuel
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The Salt Store

Here are some photos of what will be my day to day surroundings at the academy...

This is the large room for us to work in. It is where we have been spending most of our time over the last two days as we discuss "what is jewellery" - more on that later. We also have a room with jewellery benches and equipment but those photos will come later when we start to work in there.

details...

still from the same room

This part of the room we will share with the performance art class which starts next week. That should be interesting!

the ceiling

And more views from around the academy...

This is Manuel standing in the student lounge. And check out this lounge!!

I wanna take it home with me.

students on tour.

some salt! No kidding.

encrusted salt! There will be more photos like this but they require lifting the camera up high and will have to wait until my neck is better - they've found me a fantastic physio and her name is Barbara!

This is part one of a panorama shot of one of the painting workshops upstairs.

Part two....

Wouldn't you like to work/live here?

And guess what? Destiny Deacon is teaching a workshop here. She is one of my favourite artists and she's working right upstairs from me. I would love to meet her but I feel that introducing myself and saying "I'm Australian too" would be just so naff!
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