Jewelry, some of us wear them 24/7. Jewelry can have a spiritual meaning or can symbolize wealth, power and status. As you saw in the image bank people can distinguish themselves with their jewelry. It can be an important part of their identity. Jewelry has always played a great role in increasing beauty and enhancing looks.
Versluis en Uyttenbroek
Since 1994, Ari Versluis and Ellie Uyttenbroek have documented the identity of subcultures in photo series. New series are added every year and the count is currently at 171. View the site www.exactitudes.com and do the assignment below.
Image 1: Portrait series of gabbers
Identity is who you are, the way you think about yourself, the way you are viewed by the world and the characteristics that define you.
Subcultures
- Describe the identity of the people in the photo series on the basis of 5 characteristics. What binds them?
- Describe what you identify with? Who could or would you like to be?
- Are you concerned with clothing or appearance? Do you distinguish yourself from others by your behaviour, cycling or sport?
- Can you also find a series in which you recognize yourself?
Cindy Sherman
Most of American photographer Cindy Sherman's photos are of herself. However, she never introduces herself, each photo seems to take on a different identity.
Nowadays Sherman shows selfies via her Instagram account where she changes her face by using Facetune, among other things. Parts of the face are enlarged, reduced or distorted. She refers to our contemporary behaviour, where many people determine their 'identity' through photography and social media. Sherman shows that our identity is not fixed. We all play roles when we photograph ourselves. The story we tell about ourselves in the photos we share with the world affects our identity and how others see us.
Image 2: Portraits of Cindy Sherman
Questions
- Look at image 2. What did Sherman have to do to change herself (left) into the person on the right?
- Sherman has taken a lot of pictures where she looks very different. She doesn't call the photos she takes of herself self-portraits. Why would she do that? Do you agree or do you think they are self-portraits?
Image bank
Look at the image bank.
- Can you now tell what identity is based on 2 photos that you choose?
- Are there photos in which you recognize yourself or recognize someone else from your environment? Describe why.
- What is striking about the image bank is that in many cultures/countries men and women are busy decorating or adorning themselves. We see that in the Western world and beyond. We are now going to create an image bank with the class. Everyone places 1 current photo of a person from which you can read identity and commitment from body decoration in the image bank.
Mindmap
Return to your answers to the assignments 1, 2, and 3. You were asked to think about identity by thinking about character, looks, appearance, what do people wear to stand out of the crowd? Read your answers again.
Create a wordweb with 15 words that describe the character you create the jewelry for. Start asking yourself questions like: What kind of jewelry do I want to make? Who is it exactly I am creating jewelry for?
When designing, consider the characteristic aspects such as: Colour, relief, plasticity, organic shapes versus geometric shapes, (a)symmetrical shapes, shape contrasts, etc.
Sketching
Create 3 different sketches of the jewelry you want to make. Think of the materials you may want to use like:
- small pieces of thin (ply)wood or cardboard
- sticks from wood
- metal thread
- a fret saw or knife
- fast drying clay
- yarn, threat, cotton, leather cords
- fabrics
- silver foil
- soapstone
- thrash like thin foil from empty can, plastics
- etcetera
Body jewelry
After the sketching and decision making on materials, you start creating your jewelry.
Your work should have a certain size. Creating just a small object will not be sufficient. Discuss seize with your teacher.
Take photos of the finished product. Pay attention to the background and use of light. Preferably let someone wear the jewelry. Upload your work in the...
Assessment criteria
- You can explain, when asked, why with your specific design people can distinguish themselves
- The design shows current topic you had in mind while designing
- craftsmanship: you’ve done your best to work as precisely as possible with the chosen materials. rough or sharp edges are smoothed, cleaned, and polished. Colored pieces are well painted and …
- Originality: the piece has a unique, creative, one of a kind appeal with an interesting combination of materials and techniques.