The Baltimore Jewelry Center will host Site Effects, an exhibition of contemporary art jewelry that illuminates the relationship between Europe and the US from the perspective of adornment. Through the exhibition, curators Anja Eichler (EU) and Katja Toporski (USA) pose the question: if jewelry is considered a form of communication, do people speak the same language on either side of the Atlantic? Site Effects will be on view in the BJC’s gallery in Baltimore’s Station North Arts & Entertainment District (10 E. North Ave.) from June 3 through July 10. We will host special preview of the exhibition through Art Jewelry Forum on June 3 at 12pm EST and a virtual opening reception on June 5 at 6pm EST via Instagram Live (@baltimorejewelrycenter). There will also be a special event featuring music composed in response to the exhibition and performed on the cello and violin on June 19. These events are free and open to the public.
Founded in June 2014, the Baltimore Jewelry Center is the successor organization to the MICA Jewelry Center, which had served the metalsmithing and art jewelry community in the Baltimore area for twenty-two years. Today, the nonprofit is providing a rigorous academic program and robust studio access program for metal and jewelry artists.
Observations from the last century suggest that the differences in jewelry styles on both sides of the Atlantic were pronounced. The American style was perceived as opulent and ornamented while the European seemed to be reductivist and less playful. But what is the situation in the 21st century? Have aesthetic differences been blurred in the wake of globalization and instant access to images from around the world? If not, then what differences are there currently? To what extent does one only perceive a difference because knowledge of an artist’s name and location results in cultural stereotyping? Anja Eichler and Katja Toporski aim to shed a light on these questions in Site Effects with the work of 24 jewelry artists from Europe and the US. Additionally, they would like to invite visitors to ask themselves the following questions: What do you see if you have no background knowledge? Does the Atlantic exist as a dividing line or are there more similarities than we think?
Participating artists are: Kristen Beeler, Sofia Björkman, Caroline Broadhead, Liesbet Bussche, Thea Clark, Nikki Couppee, Emily Culver, Anja Eichler, Rebekah Frank, Maria Rosa Franzin, Don Friedlich, Sara Gackowska, Lena Grabher, Peter Hoogeboom, Holland Houdek, Anastasia Kandaraki, Anya Kivarkis, Kristiina Laurits, Nanna Melland, Seth Papac, Estela Saez, Sondra Sherman, Marjorie Simon, Katja Toporski.
ABOUT THE BALTIMORE JEWELRY CENTER:
Founded in June 2014, the Baltimore Jewelry Center is the successor organization to the MICA Jewelry Center, which had served the metalsmithing and art jewelry community in the Baltimore area for the past twenty-two years. Located in Baltimore’s Station North Arts & Entertainment District, the 501c3 educational nonprofit is dedicated to building a vibrant creative community for the study and practice of metalworking for new and established artists, offering classes, workshops, and studio space access. In addition to its education program, the Baltimore Jewelry Center helps metal and jewelry artists grow sustainable business practices by offering professional development, sales opportunities, and a promotional platform. For more information, visit baltimorejewelrycenter.org.
