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AJF NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 

2012

A LETTER FROM THE AJF BOARD CHAIR

Greetings! 

 

The applications are in for the thirteenth Emerging Artist Award and, as usual, we had a rush of entries just before the deadline of September 30, 2012. In total137 jewelers applied from 25 countries. The EAA is one of the major ways in which AJF supports and promotes contemporary art jewelry and we will keep you up to date with the judging and let you know as soon as a winner has been selected.

 

Membership List

Did you know that you can see the AJF community listed by name on our website? Now a link can be added from your name to your website by simply contacting us with 'Website' in the subject line and your name and website address in the body of the email. If you don't have a website you may send us your email address so people can contact you that way if you wish.  

 

Amsterdam

For all of you who like to plan early, the next AJF trip will be to Amsterdam and nearby jewelry locations from September 26-29, 2013. Mark your calendar and if you think you'd like to come, email us with 'Amsterdam' in the subject line. We will be sure to let you know about the trip in plenty of time.

 

Our very biggest project to date (since the creation of the new website) is a new book about contemporary art jewelry, which will be published by Lark Books in fall 2013. During October, Damian Skinner, our editor and seventeen other authors from around the world will be taking care of the final details. The title is Contemporary Jewelry in Perspective. Although it will be almost a year before we will see it for real we are already planning events to celebrate its arrival and to launch it in style. We hope this will be the first of many books to come.

 

We have added a couple of new sections to the AJF website that you might want to visit. Under Collecting on the navigation bar we are listing Appraisers and Dealer Galleries interviews. We hope these sections will prove useful and informative, especially for collectors.

 

On a sad note, Monika Zampa has decided to close Galerie Louise Smit in Amsterdam in November 2012. Change is inevitable, but nonetheless it is a loss for us all that this gallery, which played such an important role in the development of the contemporary art jewelry field, is closing. We are grateful for its 26 years of existence. Wishing you the very best in the future, Monika.

 

 

Once again I have listed all the upcoming events of importance . . . that I know of anyway . . . please send us notices if you want to be considered for this list. We have planned two events in November 2012, one in Chicago at SOFA and one in Philadelphia. We hope to see you there.

 

 

Susan Cummins

Chair, AJF

Survey Image
THE SURVEY - PLEASE RESPOND NOW

 

A few weeks ago, we asked you to complete a survey with your impressions of AJF. We'd appreciate it if you could take a moment to give us your input. It will help plan for the future of AJF. To those of you who have already completed it - thank you!

OCTOBER 7-8: LAST CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JEWELRY IN THE AMERICAS 

 

The annual conference of the Association for the Study of Jewelry & Related Arts (ASJRA) will take place October 7-8, 2012 in New York City. This year the theme is Jewelry in the Americas. The event will consist of an all-day conference and an additional study day. The speakers include Elyse Karlin, Yvonne Markowitz, Jennifer Santos, Donna Distefano, Janet Zapata, Laura Johnson, Mona Brody, Lois Sherr Dubin, Jack Ogden, Carl Schimmel and Niki Kavakonis. For more information go to www.jewelryconference.com or write to Elyse Karlin.  

SOFA chicago Logo
NOVEMBER 1-4: SOFA CHICAGO - ESPECIALLY FOR YOU

 

AJF will have a space in the Partners Pavilion at SOFA Chicago. Come see us and bring your friends to say hi. We will also be sponsoring a talk by the fabulous speaker Kiff Slemmons, called 'More than One to Make One: A Look at the Jewelry of Kiff Slemmons' on Saturday November 3 at 12:30pm. 

  Kiff Slemmons

Once again, we will be able to offer VIP passes to SOFA. The passes include admission for two to the Opening Night Preview, 5-9 pm Thursday, November 1, early admission at 10am November 2-3 and regular admission November 4, access to the SOFA CHICAGO 2012 VIP events and access to the VIP Lounge. Click here to create your log-in information and register for the VIP pass, receive it by email, and print it out at home. Or log in with your existing username and password if you have an account from a previous SOFA fair.

 

Francesca's on Chestnut Due to the popularity of last years' AJF dinner at SOFA, we have organized another members dinner this year. We will dine on yummy italian food at Francesca's on Chestnut on Saturday November 3 at 7:30pm. All inclusive cost is $50. RSVP by October 22 by sending us an email with 'SOFA Dinner' in the subject line. It is first-come, first-served and limited to 30 participants. We hope you can join us for a fun filled evening.

NOVEMBER 1-4: SIERAAD, AMSTERDAM - ESPECIALLY FOR YOU

 

The eleventh edition of SIERAAD Art Fair is the most international edition to date. SIERAAD is the only platform in the Netherlands where professional contemporary jewelry designers from there and abroad show their work directly to the public. SIERAAD is also graced by special events and high-profile presentations. VIP passes to this fair are available upon request by sending an email to Astrid Berens. Be sure to mention that you are an AJF member. 

40 Under 40
NOVEMBER 8-9: RENWICK SYMPOSIUM, WASHINGTON D.C.

 

The Renwick Gallery is sponsoring a free symposium in conjunction with the 40 Under 40: Craft Futures show on November 8 - 9, 2012, in Washington D.C. with a full cast of the usual great speakers like Glenn Adamson, Ulysses Grant Dietz, Elissa Auther, Sandra Alfoldy, Ezra Shales, Jenni Sorkin and Gabriel Craig to name a few. 


PA Craft Show Logo
NOVEMBER 10: PHILADELPHIA CRAFT SHOW - ESPECIALLY FOR YOU
 

In conjunction with the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Women's Committee, AJF is proud to host a guided tour with Sarah Archer, Chief Curator of the Philadelphia Art Alliance, at the 36th Annual Philadelphia Craft Show. Archer will discuss the works of selected jewelry artists, including this years craft show guest artists from both Ireland and Britain. The tour will be on Saturday November 10 at 3pm. 

 


Emily Cobb
Following the tour at about 4pm we will cab it over to the Art Alliance to see Legends: Studio Jewelry by Emily Cobb including brooches, neckpieces and rings - highly original pieces that illustrate modern fairy tales and fables. Emily is a resident of Philadelphia and a recent graduate at Tyler School of Art where she learned to use computer software to aid in her designs. Emily Cobb will be there to tell us about the work. 

 

To cap off the day we have been invited to Mari Shaw's house just down the street for a cocktail and a tour at around 5.30 pm. Mari's house is a five-story town house designed by Frank Furness in the mid-1860s. Emily Cobb will come along with us and will discuss the exhibition of thirteen young jewelry artists she curated for the house. Mari will be happy to take those who are interested on a tour of her collection of contemporary painting, sculpture, drawings, and jewelry.

   

Attendance is limited to 12 people on a first-come, first-served basis and the cost is $25 each. Send us an email with 'Philadelphia' in the subject line if you'd like to sign up. We will confirm your registration and forward payment information.

Pierre Berge Auction Catalog
THE JEWELRY AUCTION RESULTS

 

Have a look at the results of last month's auction at Pierre Berg�. Not as promising as one would hope. Just proves how much work we have to do!

MAD MUSEUM - EVENTS REPORT
By Susan Kempin

 

Margaret De Patta show at MAD It's been a MAD month for jewelry in New York City. On August 16, approximately 25 AJF members attended a tour and presentation led by Ursula Ilse-Neuman of the superb exhibit Space-Light-Structure: The Jewelry of Margaret De Patta. (You can read a review of this exhibition on our website, as well as the talk that Ilse-Neuman gave at SOFA NY on the subject of De Patta's jewelry). Following the tour, about half of the group gathered in the museum's restaurant, Robert, for libations and conversation about what else but jewelry - our favorite topic. Our thanks to Ursula for delivering an excellent presentation and to Bella Neyman for setting up and coordinating the evening's arrangements.  

Jeremy May
Jeremy May
 
 

LOOT 2012: MAD about Jewelry opened on September 11 and continued

through September 15. LOOT is a curated exhibition and sale of artist-made jewelry, now in its twelth year. Bryna Pomp led a tour of LOOT for AJF members on September 15. Three artists that caught my eye were John Moore, who uses 3-D design to create his bright colored aluminum jewelry; Joe Pillari, a Philadelphia-based jeweler who works with hand-painted enamel and silver; and Jeremy May, who creates jewelry out of books and for each piece he selects a distinct quote that leads him to envision the finished piece. An unexpected treat was a presentation at the Czech Center, where Eva Eisler discussed her work and the exhibitions she has curated and her students' work.Eva Eisler and her students were in New York to participate in LOOT.

Yvonne Markowitz
MEET THE CURATORS

 

The AJF website has many layers of information and articles. Perhaps there is a section or two you haven't visited? Here's a taste of one of our Curator Profiles: Yvonne Markowitz, the Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan Curator of Jewelry at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

 

It is interesting that jewelry in the ancient world has always been integrated into the collection. You'll see that there is jewelry next to ceramics next to glass next to sculpture, because that's the way that scholars of ancient art think of it. Traditionally, that didn't happen in the art of Europe and the art of America, but it does now in this museum, that's the model that we used. Read more...
MEET OUR GALLERIES: THE AJF QUESTIONNAIRE

 

MarzeeThis month's AJF Questionnaire has been answered by Marie-Jose van den Hout of Galerie Marzee, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

 

You have a reputation as a dealer who is interested in younger jewelers. What interests you about people at the start of their careers and how do you interact with them?

 

I have always been interested in the motives and ideas of young jewelers, to see where they come from and where they are heading. Throughout the past 25 years I have been organizing the Marzee graduate show each year during August and September. At first I only visited academies and colleges in The Netherlands, then Belgium and Germany were added and since 1995, when I moved into my new venue, the shows became international. They include schools in Europe, the United States, Australia and Asia. Read more...
AJF FEATURED GALLERIES  

 

This month we feature the following galleries on the AJF website.  

Jeong Ju Lee
Graver's Lane Gallery
The Sorcerer's Stones
Thomas Gentile
Gallery Loupe
The Birthday Boys: Thomas Gentile & Peter Skubic

 

Niessing
Galerie Elsa Vanier
Niessing: The Four Seasons of Gold


Liisa Hashimoto
Shibumi Gallery
Liisa Hashimoto
Aaron Faber Gallery Rebel Metal
Aaron Faber Gallery
Rebel Metal: Red Gold
 
Thomas Mullen
Crafthaus
Behind the Brooch
 











WHAT'S NEW ON THE WEBSITE 

 

Safari Museum    Lauren Kalman

WHAT'S NEW ON THE BLOG  


Malvine Marichal  Mariko Kusumoto  Anja Eichler  Sara Loertscher

 

Nanna Melland    Leonor Hipolito   Lisa Walker   Karl Fritsch 

AJF FEATURED MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS  

 

Annamaria Zanella: Oltre l'ornamento
September 1 - November 19, 2012

Palazzo Fortuny, Venice Italy

 

Legends: Studio Jewelry by Emily Cobb

September 6 - December 10, 2012

Philadelphia Art Alliance

 

Eclipse: Philip Sajet  

September 15 - October 27, 2012

Villa De Bondt Gent Belgium

 

Redefining the San Andreas Faultline: Women Jewelers

Through October 27, 2012 

The Craft in America Study Center, Los Angeles, CA

 

The Terry Brodie-Smith Jewellery Collection

October 8 - November 3, 2012

The Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland

 

Pearls in the History of Jewellery

October 26, 2012 - January 27, 2013
Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim

 

"Classics". Rein Mets

September 15 - November 4, 2012

Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design


40 Under 40: Craft Futures

July 20 - February 3, 2013
The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
 
July 19, 2011 - July 1, 2014

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

  

AJF RECOMMENDS

On the home page of our new website we have a changing list of the interesting, strange and wonderful ways that contemporary jewelry is hitting the headlines. Why not find out what has been attracting our curiosity at AJF Recommends.
QUICK LINKS