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Radical Jewellery Makeover
a call out for people to both DONATE their unloved (or loved), old, broken or unwanted bits of jewellery AND/or come Create with us on the project days 29th and 30th Jan, 12-6pm.
Here is a local version of the Radical Jewellery Makeover, an amazing initiative begun by the Ethical Metalsmiths, where old and unwanted jewellery is donated by members of the public, reworked and turned into new creative pieces of jewellery.
The project began as a way to inform people (jeweller's, artists and the general public) about the social and environmental issues surrounding jewellery production and consumption, whilst simultaneously skill-sharing ethical creativity using recycled materials. The Ethical Metalsmiths ran their 5th ' RJM' project in Brisbane Australia, 2010. Now comes the time for some local action in Melbourne.
Finally... a place to send all those orphaned earrings, broken necklaces, sentimental bits and unwearable gifts. Basically we take all the donations, sort them by type and material, then re-work the elements to create new life for undervalued or land-fill destined goods.
ALL DONATIONS will be greatly appreciated and receive a discount voucher redeemable up to the value of $50 depending on the type of jewellery donated (precious, plated, plastic or costume). Discount vouchers can be used to purchase works created during the project, which will then be exhibited for sale at Loophole Community Centre and at an online gallery.
Donations can be made either by mail to PO BOX 6/330 Smith St, Collingwood... or give it to us in person on the 29th of Jan at Loophole Community Centre, Thornbury.
Those wishing to donate please email me (Suse), and I'll send you a simple donation form to send back with your donation.
If you wish to donate some of your goodies but don't have the resources or ability to get your jewellery to us, contact us... (if you are local to Melbourne's inner north or east, we may be able to help with collection.)
so for a bit more clarity... heres some important info:
dates: The 29th is the sorting day. The 30th is for making. Everyone is welcome to attend both or either days. If you can't come, donate something!
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jewellery donated and created:
any or all jewellery donated becomes property of the Radical Jewellery Makeover to to be used at this and future events, donations receive a discount voucher up to the value of $50 (depending on the value of materials donated), to be redeemed at RJM project exhibitions where works created will be for sale. Jewellery will be pulled apart, melted down and sorted so that it is potentially unrecongisable and turned into something new and amazing.
This is not simply a fixing opportunity for unworn pieces, and jewellery donated cannot be un-sorted back to its original form or returned. Jewellery will be sorted into type and material kind to be used by any one in attendance on the making day. All jewellery created goes into an exhibition with the works for sale, where labour will be partially re-compensated (depending on works sold). If you make a piece that sells, 50% of the money will go toward funding future Radical Jewellery Makeovers & 50% of the money will go to you the artist primarily responsible for creating the work. Time can also be purely voluntary. Those who come for the sorting cannot unfortunately be compensated but for the joy of communal creativity.
Makers may take their own creations home if they are particularly fond by getting first dibs on a work, a 50% discount for their labour and can use discount vouchers accumulated by donating jewellery materials. If doing this, please tell us on the day so we can make an accurate catalogue list of works for sale.
re. making and skill-sharing:
Unfortunately there is a need to be careful with powerful or dangerous tools, and being in a community centre, we won't have access to teachers or great facilities like Uni studios. Therefore there will be onus on individuals using resources to ensure they are proficient with their use and aware of safety protocol. Safety liability sign in sheets will be used. That being said, to avoid a hierarchy, there will hopefully be both skilled and un-skilled makers on both the sorting and making days. Indeed, it is a view of mine, and of the Loophole Community, that skill-sharing is fantastic and should be undertaken at any opportunity, particularly given the potential for old trades like jewellery to take their secrets to the grave. I will be on-hand to over-see and instruct the use of more technical equipment so that those who wish may enjoy their benefits.
Makers with experience are asked to take a moment occasionally (when it suits them) to help those around them who might need some advice and enjoy the process of sharing and consolidating their knowledge. Those with less experience are invited to ask for help and learn, and hopefully progress their skills and knowledge of the jewellery trade.
recycling and recyclable jewellery: Using more ethical and sustainable methods and second-hand materials to open an avenue for constructive creativity and ethical consumption.
Papercuts Exhibition at Trocadero Art Space. - Opening Sat, 4th Dec 2010
18 artists have responded to the politics and events of the current electoral cycle (2007-2010) and election for … Marginal Democracy.
List of Artists:
Academy of Emergency Art - Sydney, Adam Hill, Alana Wesley, André Flament, Angela Stretch, Brendan Penzer, Ganbold Lundaa, Gary Smith, Grant Kennewell, Iain Powell, Jo Tracy, Leanne Prussing, Margaret Carey, Michael Kennelly, Ro Murray, Samuel Quinteros, Suse Scholem, Teena McCarthy.