Work in progress. A sketch in metal, something I started working on at the end of last year. Copper, silver, brass.
I got inspiration from the electric wires above the railroad. But I also discovered a window theme, as one day, the pieces were framed by shadows under the roof window. I simply had no other option than to quickly arrange them for a photo shot.
The earrings and necklace that I have in mind will be different from what you see here, but let’s stay with the window theme for a while.
This photo tells me something about myself. Something I knew, but you know, sometimes you need to “put a photo” on it. This photo covers a lot of why metal and jewellery keep me in such a firm grip. My very personal credo:
- I believe in the small and tiny, in miniature things, in the delicate.
- I believe that tiny pieces are sculptures, that shapes and dimensions mean more than size and purpose.
- I believe that metal is a friend. It is hard but, when treated correctly, willing to serve us for the useful and the beautiful. It lends itself to us, lets us bend it, form it, give it volume, then melt it again, over and over.
I take this photo here as a window with a view into the core of my jewellery making.
(pause)
Oh my god, how pretentious didn’t that last bit sound? And probably a bit… too much-ish…
Excuse me, señoras y señores, for this abstract statement. I honestly don’t care about any “core” here, I just love doing what I’m doing, and I believe in it.
By the way, this post was my chance to keep it very short, but I ruined it. One photo and three sentences – how difficult can it be?
So, time to wrap up. Windows are special, here are a few of the thoughts or quotes they trigger in me:
- Every language is a window to a new world, a new way of thinking.
- The eyes are the windows to our souls.
- The English word “window” comes from Old Norse, and means “wind-eye” (where the wind could pass through)
- As a child I was extremely fascinated to learn that in the past, they would sometimes paint windows on the facade, for visual symmetry and/or to cover the fact that they could not afford windows everywhere. Those are called “blind windows” in Swedish (perhaps “false windows” is the proper word en English?). I’m not sure what it was that fascinated me the most: the word itself (implying that real windows could see?), the vanity of this whole concept or that seen from far, they actually sometimes did look like real windows.
I’d love to hear what comes up in your mind when you think of windows! What intrigues you the most, looking out from inside, or vice versa? Old windows, new windows? Or, if this image triggers thoughts in other directions, I’d love to hear them too!
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Such an enjoyable post! I love your window jewelry—so poetic!
“Window” is the Weekly Photo Challenge this week at WordPress. Along with my photo, I would like to place a quote (from you) and link to your post here.
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Oh, feel free to do so, I’m happy if you see a good fit here! It seems that once you start thinking about windows, you realise how much they represent…
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It really wasn’t too pretentious at all…I appreciate your modesty though…and it’s a wonderful photo, with the shadow and all. The windows look like fun.
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Thank you for your comment! I’m really eager to continue with this idea now, and am curious to see how it will all turn out. Probably not like the windows, though…
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I have always loved the fact that the name itself means an eye of the wind. I felt it meant the the wind could see if it was channelled through shapes in stone. Also that we could see into the wind, since eyes are windows to the soul.
As a child I looked at buildings as though the windows were eyes and the doors were mouths. Different gaps to allow the entrance and exit if different things. As an adult now I look at them as places of transition, where things can change and be changed, as they enter or leave. Windows change the light, and we still use them to let the wind, or air into a building. I really hate windows in new buildings which cannot open. It means they have lost half of their function!
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It’s fantastic to still remember how we saw things as children, at some point we seem to loose that way of looking at things. You mention windows as a place of transition – I never thought of it like that. Well, perhaps I did, like to open a window is like letting in fresh ideas (like fresh air). Thank you so much for your comment and perspective, it’s broadening my own “window view”!
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My pleasure, your posts always get my brain ticking 🙂
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Great that we can tick together! 😉
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Your photo of your small “windows” being strongly lit by another window above them is intriguing, so I can see how you got long-winded. But I am responding more to two things: 1. your commentary about scale and how tiny things are mega-worlds unto themselves and 2. that idea of “blind” windows painted on a solid surface. You attributed them to vanity or an unfulfilled sense of balance. I need to think about that some more. I still need to model your necklace!
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Well, what I mentioned about the blind windows is what I recall from guided tours in old castles, like those details that stick in a child’s memory. Architects and historians know more about the facts and circumstances, I remember the fascination from a child’s view. Including the question: can houses “see” through their windows?
(So about the necklace, you’re saying I should speed up? 😉 )
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I also love looking from inside out. It gives me a feeling of freedom, but only provided that they don’t have bars. I don’t like bars on windows, even if they are beautifully made. 🙂
Have a lovely day!
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That’s a good point you have here! Looking out through bars is limiting, no matter how beautiful they are from the outside. And now that you say it, I can see bars here, although that is not what I was thinking of. Thanks for your comment, this gave me yet another view!
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Actually your work is great the way it is; i do accept beautiful bars as long as they’re for works of art such as yours. I just don’t like looking out windows that have bars. Not sure i’m making much sense, but i’m sure you understand. 🙂
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I’m with you, totally! 🙂
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Windows … I like looking form inside out, the openness, the light.
Beautiful art once more.
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Thank you Silvia! Me too, I like looking outside, seeing the world out there. Doesn’t seem to matter how old/new the building is to get that feeling of openness when you look out through the window.
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