Inspired by Calder: Wired Objects...

I've been pouring over the Calder Jewelry book. It's a fantastic resource and has been very inspiring. I was really drawn to the pieces where Calder incorporated found objects into his work. I think there's a magic in elevating something "mundane" turning it into something truly divine.

Above are some examples of the pieces that sparked my creativity in my latest Calder-inspired piece. He took ordinary pieces of glass, mirror and broken pottery and transformed them into really gorgeous works of wearable art.

Medieval Crown from the National Treasury in Munich; picture by Sue Carbary.

The piece that I created was also inspired by Medieval crowns set with jewels and other objects. I love the rich patterning of the set stones. During the Byzantine era, Justinian and Theodora, made it illegal for anyone but royalty to own precious jewels. If you look at the mosaics in Ravenna, it is clear to see the effect: the consolidation of an empire's wealth in one place and a clear distinction of status.

"The Pauper's Crown"

The above crown is what I made. I used the same techniques I used creating the wire-woven pendants also inspired by Calder. CLICK HERE to see the post about them. The frame of the crown is made of woven brass and bronze wire and is embellished by pieces of Roman Glass. The pieces of the excavated Roman Glass still have traces of their unearthing and glitter with the iridescence of being ancient. Some float in an inlay design and others are wired on top of the woven, structural parts of the crown. It's relatively "small" for a crown and is meant to sit, perched atop a head... almost tiara-style.

I call it, "The Pauper's Crown". It's interesting to note that many of the jewelry pieces made by Calder out of wire and small bits of metal were because he was working with scraps from his bigger sculptures or that it was during wartime and metal was hard to come by. So, it's not just about replicating the feel of "primitive" art or ethnic body adornment, but that he was working with what was available.

I also gave it that title, because while Roman Glass is certainly pricey nowadays, the glass comes from ancient dumps. I love that something thrown away, millennia ago, is finding a cherished second life. We treasure it because it is rare and ancient and relatively expensive; its beauty comes from being old.

Above is a detail of the wired Roman Glass. I don't think the pictures do the glass justice, as there is a shimmer on the glass that simply refused to be captured by the camera today. One of the things that I really liked about creating this particular Calder-inspired piece is that it gave my arms and ears a rest from the hammering. It's true that the wire can be hard on the hands, especially with all the weaving, but it was significantly more quiet. I was also able to make this crown come to life with simple tools and supplies already on-hand. I felt all like Calder, using what was around.