First Impression by Benedict Haener

Artist list

Benedict Haener

Haener's First Impression series finds the Swiss artist hammering diamonds into highly recognisable traditional jewellery forms of aluminium, leaving only their impressions and reflections. Only upon close inspection does one realise that the value is in design concept and exquisite craftsmanship rather than materiality. In Haener’s Sugar Free series, jewellery appears to be crafted of candy; the sugary surface, however, is composed of glass and diamonds.

From the Swiss Design Awards: Diamonds, gold, sapphires, pearls: the collection takes materials we traditionally associate with jewellery and presents them in a new and surprising way. Familiar everyday items like sour sweets, sugar cubes and sandpaper are creatively “transvalued”. They remain recognisable for what they are, but the use of materials such as diamonds and precious stones and metals suddenly turns them into expensive pieces of jewellery. The puzzlement this causes makes us reflect on the value of luxury goods.


Join Ornamentum Gallery this Saturday through August 23 in Hudson to view this stunning work in person.
The exhibition will be featured online.

Gallery Hours:
Monday: 11:00 - 5:00 p.m. 
Tuesday by chance or appointment
Wednesday by chance or appointment
Thursday and Friday: 11:00 - 5:00
Saturday: 11:00 - 6:00
Sunday: 11:00 - 5:00