I feel like a laboratory researcher. Ariel Lavian interviewed by Klimt02

Do you think that jewelry is being standardized?
I certainly feel that there has been a change in recent years, you can see it when you arrive at a contemporary jewelry exhibition. If in the not-too-distant past, the audience was mainly artists, colleagues, and jewelry students, nowadays it is already possible to see a growing movement of an audience, from the general public, which is interested in the field.


What is there of local and universal in your artistic work?
I am very influenced by my surroundings, most of my projects and material research begin with what surrounds me. In recent years I’m insisting on being surrounded or at least close to nature.


What do you expect when exposing your work to the public (for example with an exhibition)?
I am very excited about every exhibition in which my jewelry is displayed. Especially I aspire for the viewer to leave with an added value, new/renew thought, or maybe a different angle to the subject at hand.


Are other areas besides the jewelry, present in your work?
In one hand my work usually involves gathering and collecting materials from the surrounding area, and on the other hand, I’m doing a lot of experiments with the material that I use. It takes me a long time until I'm satisfied with the result and usually it takes dozens of attempts. So you can say that sometimes I feel like a laboratory researcher.


The last work, book, film, a city that has moved me was...
That’s easy, Tao te Ching by Lao Tzu.


A place, space, country whose creativity surprises me...
I teach at Bezalel, Academy of Art and Design, and almost every day I am surprised by the creativity of the students.


What piece of work has given you the most satisfaction?
I think every time it’s a different project, I've been researching for a few years now about copper patina, so every new discovery, a new color excites me.


Do you read Jewellery Magazines? What is your source to get information?
Of course, I spend a lot of time reading, but most of the information I get from the Internet and social networks.


Do you discuss your work with other jewelry artists or any other person?
Well, my work process is very personal, I do not talk much about projects when I'm in the middle of the process, but when I feel the work or the object is ready, the first one who sees it is my wife, Chen, and we are discussing it. Most times from her initial reaction I already know what she is going to say...


What is your first thought when you hear the word Future? What do you expect?
I have many aspirations for the future, both professionally and personally, I'd love to teach more, have more time to create and explore but mostly I want to continue to enjoy what I am doing.