Crafted Visions. The Tension of Opposites

The exhibition features contemporary jewelry that sits at the intersection of humanity and technology and arouses the spirit of revolution. Five of the artists use new technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting.

What excites me is technology that puts beauty in more people’s hands and allows them to express themselves, explains co-curator Ivy Ross, the Silicon Valley executive who began her career as a widely collected jewelry maker. Steve Jobs created choice and options for people. I like the tension of opposites that he exposed. Jewelers and artists do the same. They have a vision and are committed to seeing that vision through.

The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs is the highly anticipated work of composer Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell. The Santa Fe Opera, which commissioned the opera, presents the world premiere on July 22.

Like Jobs, Bates is an innovator whose creativity breaks through boundaries. The opera follows the father of the computer revolution as he finds the power of human connection and makes good on his commitment to make technology responsive and liberating, thus serving man’s purposes.

Irish jewelry maker Genevieve Howard, who is also a musician, plans a series of wearable pieces inspired by Bates’ opera score. The composer gave Howard exclusive access to his music to use in creating her laser-cut pieces.

Patina’s team of curators calls the defining quality of Jobs the tension of opposites - the contrasts of simplicity and complexity, of art and technology. The curators have selected elegant pieces that on the surface seem uncomplicated yet are in truth deep artistic explorations of materials and techniques.

Allison and Ivan Barnett of Patina lead the world-class curatorial team. The curatorial team is ideally suited to present the exhibition. Patina has an 18-year tradition of successfully presenting jewelry with a clean, sculptural style in an uncluttered, serene space. In the spirit of Jobs, the pieces in Crafted Visions honor both technology and humanity even while drawing the two closer together.

At the Barnetts’ invitation, Ross joins them as co-curator. She is uniquely qualified because she is both an accomplished jewelry maker and respected Silicon Valley executive.

Ross’ innovative metal work in jewelry is in the permanent collections of 12 international museums, including the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Vogue magazine called her 1980s New York City store “one of the most influential of the decade.”

Since then, Ross has headed design and development teams at, among others, Google, Calvin Klein, Coach and Bausch & Lomb. As a team leader, she is known for creating collaborative environments for innovation.

To complement the jewelry exhibition, Patina features a photography exhibition by Doug Menuez, whose book Fearless Genius is an intimate portrait of Jobs at the most critical time in his life.
 

Opening

Friday, July 21, 2017, 5-7:30 pm