Gigi Mariani: the voice of metals

He uses the old jewellers, almost abandoned, techniques making them his own to give his work a distinctive character. He works with precious metals, combining them with other metals, like iron, copper, and brass. He applies black enamel over the surface of the metal, so that it stays completely covered. This way, the preciousness of the metal disappears, giving place to a dark and rough coat. Using heat, he makes cracks and clots, which result in apparently damaged surfaces, like old relics.


Gigi Mariani,Brooch: Weather Storm (Nigredo), 2017, Silver, 18kt yellow gold, niello patina ø 8 cm x 0.7 cm.

His work is based on spontaneity and instinct. He tries to transfer daily emotions to the jewellery in an impulsive way. This process allows him to develop unique and sculptural works. He tries hard to use the same type of approach he uses in painting, using the metal’s surface as canvas. That instinctive approach is countered by the sharp geometric shape he uses, thus putting everything back into place. Gigi Mariani gives voice to the metals. In brooches and bracelets he explores the expression of the materials with an unbiased poetry, creating dense textures combined with the colour of the metals.

He is, since 2013, Vice President of AGC Italy (Contemporary Jewellery Association). In 2012, together with H. Herb, he was curator of the International Jewellery Competition… vices or lifestyle? In 2011, he attended a granulation workshop with Giovani Corvaja, at Alchimia School in Florence, and he is a member of the Klimt02 site and of the Crafthaus. In 2009, he got involved in AGC and was co-founder of the Artifizio group. He collaborates with the Archeologic Museum of Modena since 2001. Between 2001 and 2002 he attended a seminar on diamond classification at the Chamber of Commerce in Modena. In 1985 he opened his ownd workshop in that city and in 1983 he attended a course at the Goldsmith laboratory.

Gigi Mariani has received several awards, among which the first Joya award in 2014 in Barcelona; the first prize of the Cominelli Foundation in 2013; the Enjoia’t award in 2012 in Barcelona; and in 2011, the first prize ONOFF, Spazio Aperto 150°, granted in Padua.


Gigi Mariani,Ring: Almost.. ring, 2015, 18k gold, silver, niello, Photo by: Paolo Terzi, Courtesy of Gioielli in Fermento gallery.

As for exhibitions in 2016, we highlight Les Confluences, Catalan Modernism Museum, Barcelona; Selected Stories, Ohmayblue Gallery, in Venice; Past present, Alternatives gallery, Rome; Conversation with a cloud, Putti Galleri, Riga; Jewel: the inspiration in the past, Museum of Human Evolution, in Burgos; After Joya Effect III, in Athens.


Article courtesy of Ana Campos and Umbigo Magazine
 

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