Orbit A Collection Jewelry

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Each piece in this collection is handcrafted and one-of-a-kind, featuring a combination of precious metals and mixed materials, such as plastic tubes and resin. By composing jewelry works that relate to subtle forms and marks, the works embody the relationships between practices and artificial objects in traditional arts and modern mass production. Through random separating, texturing, and coloring the plastic tubes, the jewelry pieces present unique consequences with an emphasis on minimalism and elegant forms.

Dimensions & Packaging

Brooch: 35*35*145mm
Double-tube necklace:127*40*50mm
Chain link statement necklace: 250*250*30mm

Tags

jewelry, necklace, brooch, craft, mixed material, art jewelry

Production Technology

The metal structure utilized traditional metalsmithing techniques, such as soldering, forming, and chain-making. For the alternative medium parts, plastic-welding and various paints combination were applied, including enamel paints, gesso, and acrylic.

Material: sterling silver(925 silver), plastic tube, resin clay, enamel paints, gesso, acrylic, stainless steel(for the brooch pin)

Design Challenge

Methods to assemble and secure the parts were the most essential and challenging throughout the whole process, while various experimentation had been performed in preparation. Although the tubes were manufactured within the same standard, they were however not entirely equivalent. The slight form difference requires a more precise structure design in order to assemble all parts together perfectly. Especially for the metal part, multiple models need to be done and tested before the final outcome.

Project Duration

The project started in January 2019 in Rochester, New York, United States, and was completed in December 2020. The collection works had been exhibited internationally, including in New York City Jewelry Week 2019(NYC, US), JOYA 2020(Barcelona, Spain), Gioielli in Fermento 20|21(Milan, Italy), Art in Media 2021 (Burchfield Penny Art Center, Buffalo, US) and Beijing International Jewellery Exhibition(Beijing, China).

Operation Flow

This collection focused on the variation and transformation of endless forms by continued use of the same artifact as a basic module. Revealing subtle layers of imperfection through painting, sanding, separating, and combining.

Research

By studying the history of craft-making, traditional apprenticeship culture both in China and western society, and the idea of modularity in the art fields through books, articles, and interviews, this project focuses on the repeated use of the same component, plastic electrical conduits, to create both wearable and sculptural objects. Making art using a certain strict component or principle is not uncommon in art history. The occurrence not only happened in the craft fields, but also in fine arts and even literary creation. The nature of human activities and artifacts becomes a part of the artwork concept.

Inspiration

By exploring the Chinese cultural background, and the idea of modularity in the traditional art fields, the project focuses on the repeated use of the same component, plastic electrical conduits, to create both wearable and sculptural objects. The aim of the work is not simply to compose forms or examine functions of jewelry within one simple material, but also to memorialize and symbolize mixed thoughts related to the experience of nostalgia and self-identity that arise from being away from home.

Image Credits

Image #1, #2, #3 and #4 Photographer Suyu Chen, Orbit A Collection, 2019
Image #5, Photographer Jiageng Lin, Orbit A Collection, 2020

Colors of Orbit A Collection Jewelry