22 Apr 2014
The Talisman Project, is the next interactive exhibition at Objectspace gallery, opening 3 May, 2014.
The collaboration by furniture designer, Roger Kelly, and jeweller, Mia Straka, is a collection of “talismans” that have been constructed for people to look, touch, enter and wear. In some instances, the object wears the body!
Exploring the notion of a talisman - an object believed to exercise protective power – the makers aim to investigate themes of containment, protection and restriction.
According to Kelly and Straka, the project was born out of a shared belief in the “need to reinvigorate areas of craft and object art and design with a sense of wonder and discovery”.
Working together in an increased scale of form and outside the realms of their respective practices, was new to both makers and it has pushed them conceptually and technically. Comprising over 1,000 components, the open construction in the works is suggestive of basketry, skeletons, traps, and tunnels. The talismanic aspect of the structures is evident in terms of the repeated patterns and also with the use of the red hemp cord. In many cultures, the colour red is considered to hold special powers of protection and be able to attract good fortune.
As part of the exhibition, visitors will be able to create their own smaller constructions based on their response to the works on show.
The makers:
Roger Kelly is a designer with a background in engraving, casting, printmaking and woodworking. He teaches design at Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawkes Bay.
Mia Straka is an Auckland-based jewellery maker, who is interested in investigating form and construction techniques using non-traditional materials.
Publication:
The makers’ collaborative process and final works will be explored in depth in an exhibition publication, on sale in the gallery. It features an essay by arts writer & curator Karl Chitham and photographs by David Straight and Danilo Santana.
Public programme:
Roger and Mia will be speaking at the gallery on Saturday, 3 May 11am
Event details:
What: Talisman exhibition
Where: Objectspace, 8 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland
When: 3 May – 14 June 2014
Gallery hours: Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm. Free admission
For more information please contact:
Jaqui Knowles, Programme Manager, Objectspace
P: (09) 376 6216
or visit objectspace.org.nz
Title: Talisman exhibition
Venue: Objectspace, 8 Ponsonby Road, Auckland
Date: 3 May 2014
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