Observation/Translation: 90 Days in Belgium

I created a set on Flickr last night that includes all the images in order from my Yuma Art Symposium talk along with accompanying text. The talk was about my wonderful experience in Belgium and the work I made there for my solo exhibition at Beyond Fashion in Antwerp. It includes a narrative about my travel inside Belgium, details about the many interesting things I saw, how I developed my ideas for the work, my process, and images of the final pieces. I am really happy with this talk...I hope you will take a look and spend some time reading it. It took me about an hour to present but should only take about 15 minutes to read through. The images I posted here are all slides from the presentation.

wandering around Antwerp

my studio

list of ideas based on observations

making a paper pattern for a brooch

Nacht

Thanks for reading.

Homage

Family

I've been back in the U.S. for just over three months, about the same amount of time I was abroad. My life in Europe feels incredibly far away, almost like it happened years ago, but it also feels like yesterday. I haven't devoted a post to any final thoughts on my experience overseas and since I've been doing a lot of looking-back lately, I realize now is a great time to do just this. 

My 90 days in Belgium were life-changing, as I hoped they would be. The experience far exceeded every expectation I had. It was as wonderful as I imagined and even more wonderful than I ever thought it could be. It was also exactly as challenging and hard as I thought it would be, although these moments were rare. I loved every single minute of amazement and difficulty. Traveling alone is probably the greatest thing I have ever done--experiencing things for the first time and being alone while relying on myself to find my way was incredible. I felt more like myself during this time and the entire experience makes me feel like I can do anything now. 

One of the best unexpected things that happened was the relationship that developed between my gallerists at Beyond Fashion, Karin and Rene and their family, and me. Before I left the U.S., I thought they would be welcoming and helpful, but I did not think they would extend their generosity in the way that they did. They invited me to spend time with them and helped me find what I needed. We became close and I left Belgium with dear friends and a sense of family. 

When it comes to the work I made, I did not know what to expect. I deliberately went to Belgium without a lot of tools and only a small piece of sheet silver and my leftover 18 gauge sterling wire. I tried to not think about what I would make until I was there and made no plans for the body of work I would produce. I just knew I wanted to find my ideas in my new surroundings. I spent the first few weeks getting settled into my new home, gathering more tools and materials, and collecting images from walking and exploring. In a short period of time I had sketches, short writings, and hundreds and hundreds of images all focused on my observations. It was then that realized this is where the work would come from. It was so simple and made so much sense. Next I started looking at all of this information and considered how I could translate it into jewelry. I began making the work in a simultaneously controlled and spontaneous way, choosing one piece to work on every day and leaving the studio with a finished piece about eight hours later. Focusing on one idea a day, gave me the structure and routine I needed, it helped me maintain a clear mind, and also allowed room for an idea to take form intuitively. By late August my show was complete.

my gallerist and me after my lecture

The opening reception and preceding lecture were wonderful. I was very happy with the work and was surrounded by friends.

Karen Vanmol, Ria Lins, and Linda Savineau at the opening reception

I am giving a presentation at the Yuma Symposium in February about my trip and solo show and I can't wait to share my experience with others. I had such an amazing time and just want to talk about it. I also want to honor it. When I got back to the U.S. I had to compartmentalize the experience in order to get back to real life. Before I knew it, it was almost like it had never happened. I am not comfortable with this. I don't want to just put it away with other memories and not acknowledge how awesome it was and do so in a big way. A presentation at a conference is perfect. I will publish the lecture texture here and create a set on Flickr after I return from Yuma in late February. 

I am sure those 90 days will continue to inform my work for years to come.

one of my favorite things I saw: 

Our Lady of Sorrows at Carolus Borromeus

I took over 5000 (!) pictures and put the best ones on Flickr. Please take a look if you haven't yet.

I know I've said this already, but I'm counting the days until I get on that plane again. Today marks 75 days to go. 

Thanks for reading. 

A Few Final Thoughts

Displaying the final collection is an exciting and challenging task for me and, just like when I am making my work in my studio, things inevitably change during the installation. I like to have a loose plan or idea before I begin, but I also try to be open to changes that one can only see in the moment.

You can see all the work and also purchase your favorite piece on the Beyond Fashion website. After you reach the homepage, just click on "expo." Each image includes measurements, materials, and the retail price in euros. 

I discovered this hand-written schedule while making my coffee one afternoon in the gallery. It made me happy. 

My kitty friend and the pet of my gallerists. She is very difficult to photograph--she moves all the time! I have many blurry pictures of her and I'm glad the one I have that's in focus is so cute. 

Finally, thanks to Prairie Underground...Having beautiful clothes to wear added to the excitement of both the lecture and the opening reception. (They designed the dress I wore at the opening reception of "This is How I Remember It," too!)

See all my pictures of the work and my process, the show, and my trip on Flickr. I have also posted the text from my lecture there and on Facebook.

Thanks for reading.

Big Night!

with my gallerists, Karin and Rene

(check out the brooch I'm wearing, a gift from Linda Savineau)

The opening reception for my solo show "Observation/Translation" happened on Thursday, September 6. It was a fantastic night with lots of people in attendance over the course of four hours. Many Belgian jewelry friends came and it felt fantastic to share the evening with them. I still can't believe I have a solo show in Belgium! I am so grateful and honored...it was an amazing night!

 Karin Vanmol, Ria Lins, and Linda Savineau

Thanks for reading.

Now That Went Well!

I gave my lecture last night and it seemed to go very well. It felt like I was having a conversation and as I looked around the room people seemed engaged. This lecture was the first in which I did not have a Powerpoint to lead me through so there were no visual cues to help me. I stood in front of the audience and just talked. I gestured to the work a few times but mostly relied on my memory to guide me through text I had written a few weeks ago. I did forget some things including a part about my process but I added it at the end. When I was finished I got good questions from attendees and then talked with smaller groups about even more specific aspects of the work. Everyone was so kind and supportive! I had fun and it was a great night! 

And tonight is the opening and I am so excited! I am really looking forward to celebrating the work and my time here in Antwerp. The event begins at 6pm.

Beyond Fashion
Pourbusstraat 7
2000 Antwerpen Zuid
Belgium

Thanks for reading.

More Photos

I posted more pictures of the work for "Observation/Translation." These were taken by my friend Victor Darmont at the De Winkelhaak, Antwerp's design center. We spent a few hours last week taking the pictures. I'm pretty sure this was his first time shooting jewelry and I think he did a pretty good job. Also, the De Winkelhaak will carry my work soon...!

Thanks for reading.

The Lecture

detail of Family, a necklace in brass and sterling silver

I will give a lecture on Wednesday, September 5 in conjunction with the opening of my new solo exhibition at Beyond Fashion. The lecture is at 7pm and I will talk for about 30 minutes. The presentation will include my thoughts on living in Belgium and how it has affected my work as well as a description of my process. I will also give some background information on my career and life before coming to Belgium as a way of introducing myself to my new audience. I won't have a Powerpoint to lead me through so I will walk around the installation as I talk. It will be a different way for me to present my work but I think it will allow me to be more casual and conversational with attendees. I will have a slide show on my laptop on view so everyone can take a look at my previous work and some process shots for this new work.

If you live in the area and would like to attend (and I hope you will!), please RSVP with me or the gallery. You can send me an email at amy@amytavern.com or to the gallery at beyondfashion@antwerpen.be. You may also call the gallery at +32 +3 2378541

Beyond Fashion
Pourbusstraat 7
2000 Antwerpen Zuid
Belgium

Lecture 7pm

Refreshments will be served!

Thanks for reading.

The Maps

Center

The final series of work for Observation/Translation is the three map necklaces. I wrote about making them a few weeks ago and put them together last week. I spent hours soldering jump rings to all those bows and then the bows to that tiny chain. I haven't soldered like that in while. I felt like a machine, in a good way. The three finished pieces are delicate and have nice movement with the bows floating around.

Capital

Neighborhood

Thanks for reading.

And Done!

I finished the work for my show yesterday. I feel good about what I've made, especially considering I didn't have much time and faced new challenges. Being in a different studio and not having all one's tools is difficult to deal with at first. I had to find the tools I needed which meant borrowing things and visiting others' studios to use tools. Not having the kind of access to materials I am accustomed to in the U.S. was tricky, too. (It's so easy to just call up Rio Grande and order something for 2nd day delivery on short notice.) I had to figure out where to get everything and took the bus all over the city. I also had to adjust to my new home in a foreign country, also tricky, to say the least. Looking back I think it was good that I took the first month to settle in and get set-up, look around, and think. I needed that time to find and develop my ideas. I also got generous help from some wonderful new friends. Then with very few distractions I was able to make a piece a day for three weeks straight, keeping a regular schedule of 9:30am-6pm Monday through Friday. I like routine and this one definitely helped me to stay focused. Now I have three collections. One is based on daily observations in my new home, another is about using maps and the walks I took, and the third is about the ruff. There are 24 pieces altogether.

Even with the work done there is still much to do. I'm happy I have a few weeks before the show opens so I can give my attention to these things, all of which are very important for pulling off something like this show. Here's my list:

title the pieces

price each piece

measure each piece

take photographs

write a more in depth artist statement

prepare lecture

decide on the display 

promote the show and send invitations

Today I will measure, title and price. Tomorrow I will take pictures. 

I have posted lots of process images on Flickr...I hope you will take a look. I will post pictures of the other series soon.

Thanks for reading.

Observation/Translation

There it is! The title of my solo show at Beyond Fashion! With less than a month to go, I thought it was time to share it along with my first statement. It's brief, but it should give you an idea of what I am thinking about:

"As a resident in a new, foreign place, my power of observation has become important to me in unusual and often unexpected ways. I recorded my daily observations with photographs, drawings, and text and have now translated them into a collection of new jewelry. This process and the resulting pieces are how I understand my new home, capture my memories, and share the experience with others."

Here's a little preview of some of the work so far, too...

The show opens on September 6 at 6pm and runs through October 20. I will also give a lecture on September 5. 

Thanks for reading.