1.5M

This series of neckpieces started its life as a concept for the International Contemporary Jewellery Exchange which was cancelled due to Covid-19. My partner, from Italy, and I stayed in contact and continued to process ideas as we both dealt with lockdowns in very different contexts. This small connection, with another contemporary jeweller on the other side of the world, gave rise to this new work.

The theme we gave ourselves was Distance and we explored this from our own experience. Living in South Australia, which has had comparatively minor exposure to the virus, has meant that little has personally changed. Of interest to me, however, was the social distancing requirement – staying 1.5m away from other people. While this naming was criticized (physical distancing with social connection was more positive) watching how people dealt with this new phenomena was fascinating. A dance ensued as citizens in public spaces began to try to keep a 1.5m bubble around them.

The piece is constructed with pivot points representing people. If we comply with health advice and stay 1.5m away from one another, the virus has a harder time spreading. This is indicated when the necklace is fully expanded. But when the necklace is collapsed on itself and the pivot points touch, it results in a visual representation of the greater risk in close contact.

The components are 3D printed SLS (selective laser sintering) nylon 12. Each piece has been hand dyed, resulting in an ombré effect. The pivot points move in one colour direction and the links move in the opposite. This gives the wearer options about the shade they display most prominently.

2021

Nylon, Dye

20 x 20 x 2 cm smallest, 40 x 40 x 2 cm largest

Credits