Schmuck von der Stange (jewellery from the sales stand)

How can the political of jewellery be mediated and questioned at the same time? How is it possible to evoke a low-threshold access, that addresses recipients directly without speaking just from my perspective? How can the phenomenon of jewellery and body related objects be discussed in a way that offers self-reflective references as well as addressing institutional responsibility and structural conditions at the same time?

Because of its inherent connection to human actions and communication, jewellery acts like a mirror of society. Jewellery is not only an expression of our identity and our taste, but it also relates bodies and classes to one another. Concomitant with that jewellery cannot be untouched by the society dividing and shaping impacts of race, class, gender, religion, belonging and inequality. Aspects that are manifested not only in the field and structures of jewellery, but also in our understanding and allegedly knowledge about jewellery and decorative practices. 

What can be jewellery? What influences our understanding of jewellery? What can be understood as body related objects? Why glues the narrative of beauty and representation on jewellery? And when does jewellery have power? Just as an excerpt, these questions give an impression of the possibilities to question jewellery and previous knowledge critically. 

With the work “Schmuck von der Stange” I aim to offer an opportunity to relate playfully to the wide field of jewellery. Perhaps some questions will invite to unlearn common learned knowledge, structures or exclusive practices.

Future Statment

“Schmuck von der Stange” (Jewellery from the sales stand) is a mediation format that questions and comment the field of jewellery and body related objects. Based on 36 questions and states, the work wants to evoke a space for a self-reflective as well as critical survey and approach. What is wondered now can be earned in future, what is discussed know can be changed for further generations, what is filled with a diverse range of knowledge and perspective can build a base for less exclusively and more inclusively structures and attitudes in the field of jewellery and body related objects.