Lin Cheung: The Social Life of Jewellery

Lin Cheung: The social life of jewellery: a way of seeing

This course encourages a sideways look at jewellery by treating it as a social phenomenon to observe, discuss and explore. It will pay particular attention to how the ideas that surround jewellery can be re-presented through the use of both jewellery-making techniques and the experimental use of simple image-making and sound.

The focus is primarily on concepts of jewellery and how to stimulate possibilities for making and communicating these ideas. This is not a course about particular jewellery techniques, but rather a journey of discovery using jewellery as muse. Making is, of course, fundamental to the realisation of this journey, and the joy of making in all its manifestations will be celebrated and supported where possible.

A series of conceptual and practical exercises are devised to stretch thinking and to unlock the potential of ideas. Students will work individually and collectively to explore and develop the creative possibilities of how jewellery
can be experienced. Guest lectures and presentations will form the basis for thoughtful discussion, and in the final week students are expected to prepare an exhibition of their output.

The course aims to assist each student in identifying and strengthening their personal perceptions of jewellery by challenging their working methods and widening their range of output.

Medium/Media: contemporary jewellery techniques (plus simple image and sound making using readily available technology)
Location: Alte Saline Hallein
Language: English, German
Maximum number of participants: 12
Requirements: A good understanding and spoken level of English. All group discussions, individual tuition, presentations and lectures will be in English. Basic knowledge of jewellery-making techniques is not essential but advisable.
What to bring: Personal tools such as pliers, files, drill bits, saw frame and blades and all other basic jewellery-making tools. Basic tools and facilities for casting, milling, wire-drawing etc. are provided by the Academy workshop. Tools can be ordered from suppliers in Vienna and delivered the next day at the student’s expense. Optional useful tools: camera, simple sound-recording devices (such as an MP3 player, iPod, voice recorder, etc.), simple video making device (such as a mobile phone with image-, video- and sound-making capabilities), laptop and memory stick.
Assistant: Birgit Marie Schmidt

Dates and price

Dates: 1. - 27. August 2011
Price: € 840,- (reduced price for students € 600,-)