Germany, Sweden, Belgium...

my work at "The Grass is Always Greener: Overseas" 

photo by Fritz Maierhofer

My work is on the move right now, traveling in Europe as part of a few really wonderful exhibitions. Last week, Schmuck began in Munich, Germany and several pieces from I Live Here Now were included in The Grass is Always Greener: Overseas. The exhibition, curated by Platforma, included the work of both American and Swedish jewelers. The show is now off to Platina Gallery in Stockholm, Sweden. It opens on March 26 and runs through April 25. I'm also excited to say a new group exhibition called The Best Of opened a few days ago at my gallery Beyond Fashion in Antwerp, Belgium. This exhibition features a hand-picked collection of work made by the artists represented by the gallery. I'm in such good company in all of these places and I just wish I could see the shows in person!

The Best Of at Beyond Fashion from March 12-25

photos by the gallery

The Best Of at Beyond Fashion

my necklace Nacht is hanging on the wall

The Grass is Always Greener: Overseas with Platforma at Schmuck

photo by Platforma

Forget Me Not at The Grass is Always Greener: Overseas

photo by Montserrat Lacomba

Thanks to my friends Fritz and Montserrat for posting pictures of my work at Schmuck!

Thanks for reading.

Guest Star Friday #117...Karin Roy Andersson

earrings

Last night I attended the opening reception for "Catching Big Fish," a new solo exhibition at Beyond Fashion in Antwerp by today's Guest Star, Karin Roy Andersson. The work is inspired by fish and the ocean. Each piece is made with recycled plastic, sterling silver, and/or gold that is layered and sewn together to reference scales. The forms also resemble fish themselves--new species, just identified. The pieces are incredibly lightweight as well as lush, with wonderful, subtle texture and detail.

brooch

Karin also gave a talk the night before, briefly telling the story of her background and describing this new body of work. I am so happy I was there to enjoy both events and to meet and talk with Karin in person!

necklace

bracelet

(that's Karin in the middle at the opening)

earrings

Thanks for reading.

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. 

360 Degrees

My gallery Beyond Fashion has an awesome new feature on their website: a 360 degree view of the gallery. The view was created by City Zine, a Belgian city guide. You can move all around the space and you can see my solo show which I was delighted to discover when I visited the site recently. I knew the gallery was going to be in the guide, but had no idea my work would be part of the 360 degrees. Some of my other favorite Belgian shops and restaurants like Bourla in Antwerp and Creme de la Crema in Roeselare are also included in the latest volume of the guide.

Thanks for reading.

Guest Star #102...Carolina Apolonia

Today's Guest Star is Carolina Apolonia. I was fortunate to spend time with Carolina while I was in Belgium--she came to Antwerp from the Netherlands for a coffee date with me and we had such a nice time! Carolina is also represented by Beyond Fashion and her jewelry is among my favorite work in the gallery. In her current collection she uses old book covers and leather, sewing shapes together to create 3-dimensional geometric forms. She has been interested in sewing since she was a kid (just like me!) and incorporates stitching in a very sophisticated way. I like her shapes and their voluminous yet light-weight feel. She also use layering in wonderful way along with a soft, neutral palette.

Carolina has her own solo show at Beyond Fashion in December. It opens December 6. (I really wish I could be there...)

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.

Almost There...

The opening of my show is just a day away and here I am again, excited and nervous and waiting. Tonight is my lecture which starts at 7pm and I feel almost ready. I plan to sit here in my apartment and read through my notes a few more times. This morning I went to the gallery early to display the work and to create a small installation of process pieces and photographs. I am very happy with the final look of the show.

Here are the details one more time:

Observation/Translation
solo exhibition
Beyond Fashion
Pourbusstraat 7
2000 Antwerpen Zuid
Belgium

The opening is this Thursday, September 6 from 6-10pm

The lecture is today, September 5 at 7pm.

I do hope to see you!

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.

A Longer Statement

I completed a more in depth statement over the weekend. Here it is for you to read now:

"Observation is the act or instance of noticing. As a resident in a new and foreign place, my power of observation has become important to me in unusual and often unexpected ways. It has also become heightened in a way that allows me to simply see more. Over the course of more than two months I have recorded my daily observations with photographs, drawings, and text, everyday encountering things I have never seen before. These observations are moments between specific inanimate objects and me, and, unbeknownst to them, between other people and me. They are also impressions of the beauty I see in my surroundings, such as the often-gray sky of Belgium or the sense of history preserved in its architecture and urban decay. Finally, they are representations of maps and walks and the work of the Baroque painters.

Translation is a change from one form to another.  Also as a resident of a new and foreign place, I translate almost everything I do: language, time, measurement, temperature, currency. At first my ability to translate was slow and challenging, often taxing. Then gradually with practice, the process became quicker until eventually translating was nearly second nature.

My new work focuses on my observations and the way I translate them to tangible objects. I observe, I record, I translate in my mind, I form an opinion. Then I develop an idea for an object and translate it again into a new, physical form. This process and the resulting pieces are how I understand my new home and share the experience with others. Ultimately, they are the reverent manifestations of a personal collection of memories."

Here are the details of the show:

Observation/Translation
New Work by Amy Tavern
Beyond Fashion
Pourbusstraat 7
Antwerpen Zuid
Belgium

September 6-October 20
Opening Reception - September 6 from 6-10pm
Artist Talk - September 5 at 7pm

Refreshments will be served at both events and the opening will be part of the first gallery walk of the season.

I also posted titles for all the pieces on Facebook and Flickr.

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.

Guest Star #94/Beyond Fashion Week Part 5...Tine De Ruysser

Today's Guest Star is Tine De Ruysser, a Belgian jeweler who currently has a solo exhibition on view at Beyond Fashion.  The work is made of real money from around the word, meticulously folded into chains, bracelets, and brooches. As Tine says in her artist statement, the work is "just origami" but also explains that it's really much more than that. Jewelry can be a valuable object based on monetary value. It can also have perceived value and often has sentimental value. Tine presents jewelry with it's monetary value exposed and the viewer can't help but think differently about jewelry. The collection, "Banknote Jewelry," also inspired Tine's "World Money Project" which further questions money and value and asks for help from a greater audience. One other really interesting thing about Tine: she has a PhD from the Royal College of Art in London. Her research focused on a combination metal and textiles folding material she invented. You can read about it here.

Thanks for reading.