Bi by Jiro Kamata

Artist list

Jiro Kamata

For many years Jiro Kamata made the most beautiful pieces of jewellery relying on authentic camera lenses. He now abandoned the anecdotical side of these objects, but his love for glass, reflections and photography remained all-important for his inspiration. In his design he kept to a minimalistic approach, and based on these preferences he manages to turn an idea into a jewellery piece.

If an artist is looking for the essence in his work, the starting point becomes ever more crucial. Kamata's primary concern is deciding on his working material. He must be intrigued in such a way that his imagiation starts to spark; after that, the material will lead the way. This happened this time when he discovered dichroic mirror, which is glass with a special technical finish that reflects only two colours, eliminating all others. It produces remarkably clear, yet surprising reflections. Caught in just a simple, forged silver setting the artist managed to capture the alluring effect of free floating soapbubbles.

The brooches in the exhibition are more complex. They are made up from several layers of glass and foil which are visually interacting. Kamata based his designs on something called the bokeh-effect, derived from the Japanese word 'boke', which means 'blur' or 'haze'. We know it as the almost downy, often colourful circles visible in photographs when the lens renders out-of-focus points of light. These pieces of jewellery emphasize the importance of looking at the actual object: only then can the refined play of light be experienced. The title of the exhibition 'Bi' refers not only to the two colours reflected or the two layers of glass encased in the brooches, but also to reality as we know it and the fairytale world summoned in the jewellery.


Ward Schrijver
(© Galerie Rob Koudijs)