Studio Fusion: Wear It
The growing 3D-printed jewellery industry is a hotbed for out-of-the-box thinking and mind-bending creativity from some of the most innovative designers on the scene.
This weekend, Weart It - 3D Printed Jewellery is being showcased at Studio Fusion Gallery, Unit 1: 06 Oxo Tower Wharf on London's south bank of the Thames.
Running until April 7th, Wear It is a showcase of work by eight selected artists with the display ranging from one-off catwalk body jewellery to designs that can be customised to individuals. The pieces on show will demonstrate jewellery-making in polymers, polyamides and non-precious metals.
"As the technology has become more accessible, jewellery designers have been exploring, exploiting and mastering these practices to enhance their work," organisers at Studio Fusion stated. "It has allowed them to generate and materialise forms of astonishing complexity and fine detail that could not be achieved in any other way, bridging the gap between the conceptual and the tangible.
"Studio Fusion is committed to bringing new techniques and materials to a wider audience, showcasing a number of designers who have embraced these new technologies to achieve unique and exciting pieces that push the boundaries of both material and process. They maintain the same ethos of exemplary design and quality of workmanship of more traditional techniques."
Farah Bandookwala
Farah Bandookwala uses a combination of process like 3D design, haptic technology and rapid prototyping to build up complex textures on the interior of jewellery forms, in order to introduce an element of tactile intrigue. She aims to create objects that although unrecognisable, appear familiar. Although the objects she designs are reminiscent of exotic species in nature, they are in fact unique to CAD/CAM.
Carrie Dickens
Carrie Dickens makes limited series of jewellery which explore elegant serendipity, tactility, and the memory of a moment. Of primary interest is how drape, movement and the ‘hand feel’ of pieces can provide comfort. Carrie’s focus on jewellery stems from her fascination with objects which carry meaning. An object worn close to the body over time has potential to carry comfort and meaning for the wearer. It is her goal to make covetable items which enchant; items which nourish both maker and wearer. She is continually experimenting with materials and processes, pushing these to their limits and embracing unexpected serendipitous outcomes which let materials speak for themselves, and often record the unique memory of a moment.
Electrobloom
Mark Bloomfield of Electrobloom, continues to explore the idea of wearable objects that transform, move and change shape as this really exploits the capability of 3D Printing technology. Things can be made in one go that open, close, rotate or slide, but require no assembly. He finds that ideas based around this concept captivates the customer, encouraging them to play as they enjoy the tactile feedback the work offers while they explore the possibilities.
Dyvsign
Dyvsign is a successful Dutch 3D printing jewellery brand at the forefront of developments in the field of 3D printing, with conversions to special and exclusive jewellery designs. Yvonne van Zummeren, originally an art historian, now CEO and designer at Dyvsign, takes inspiration for her creations from works of art. She sees her wearable designs as a medium, taking the original story from the artist and bringing it across to a wider audience.
Rob Elford
Rob Elford's new collection, ‘Ephemeral Delusions in a Motionless State’, focuses on artistic conformity in an internet world. It explores how art is becoming reliant on market trends, Facebook ‘likes’, twitter-followers and memes, instead of promoting creative individuality. Inspired by a trip to Greece at the height of the current economic crisis, he noticed that stunning classical architecture and ancient sculpture were surrounded by the decaying, decimated icons of our post-modern world. A number of pieces exist as a diametric opposite: one celebrates excess and individuality; the other is an ironic reminder of minimalist restraint and digital design norms.
Yael Friedman
Yael Friedman views jewellery as an interactive art form, sculptures that call the wearers to touch and explore. This viewpoint opens up infinite possibilities. It is an exploration into the world of toys and it changes the rules of jewellery design.
Lynne MacLachlan
Lynne MacLachlan's current work harnesses the latest digital technology to create innovative designs for jewellery and objects. She playfully manipulates and builds digital software tools to generate intriguing patterns and structures, the results of which are realised with the latest digital fabrication technology alongside traditional craft techniques.
Dario Scapitta Design
Dario Scapitta uses a new interpretation of contemporary shapes to create unique jewellery; all made using the advanced technology of 3d printing. His creations are not just jewellery, but modern body ornaments. His philosophy looks to simple forms, colours and materials, found in nature to architecture. The use non-precious metals mean it is the style of the objects that makes them important.