As the new school year is starting, and the pupils are gradually arriving at school, I had the pleasure of receiving a parcel from the Arnoldsche publishing house to discover their latest jewellery. I received three books at the end of August. So I took out the pumpkin spice latte, a light plaid (I often read in the evening) and I plunged into the different books with delight. And I was not disappointed. So here are some reading tips to start the autumn.
1-“Tadema Gallery London” (🇬🇧) – Arnodsche
I’ve been waiting for this book to come out for months. I saw the announcement in the press kit of the publishing house and I jumped at the chance to send an email to the press officer who works with me. And here it is, I’ve had it in my hands for a few days and I haven’t let it go. With its 520 pages and 800 colour illustrations, each one more magnificent than the last, I immersed myself in the history of this gallery whose selection I love so much. Founded in 1978 by Sonia and David Newell-Smith, the gallery will soon become a must for all lovers of the Art Nouveau and Art & Crafts movements.
Both were initially renowned photographers before branching out into the field of art and establishing this essential place in the field of jewellery. The book is also a mine of information on the designers of the early twentieth century, and a jewellery bibliography at the end of the book will tell you about the jewellers whose pieces passed through Sonia and David’s hands. While some are very well known, many are less so, overshadowed by Vever, Lalique and other jewellery stars of the period. You will discover the work of Von Cranach, Edward Spencer, Georges Frampton, Archibald Knox or Edward Hunt to name but a few. Of course the book is expensive (from 68 euros at the publisher), but I think it is necessary if you like jewellery from the end of the 19th to the middle of the 20th century. Don’t ask yourself too many questions, this book is a must have bible!
2-“How many is one” (🇬🇧) – Arnoldsche
When I received this book, I also discovered the incredible career of Deganit Stern Schocken. Born in 1947 in Amir (a kibbutz in northern Israel), she is a jewellery designer and curator. After graduating in art from the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, she studied for four years at the Sir John Cass College of Art and then at Middlesex Polytechnic, both in London. She founded the jewellery department at the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design in Ramat Gan and headed it for nine years until 2016.
While there is no doubt about the contemporary nature of her work, it is also politically charged and questions the role of jewellery as much as its value and purpose. The book has 264 pages and over 200 illustrations. His pendants made from aluminium soda cans question the temporality of the object. As for the series based on the yellow star, used by the Nazis to mark Jews, it can shock as well as move. It is also a reappropriation of history through this symbol so strong for the Jewish people. I really enjoyed discovering her work and her roots in the history of her culture and her country. A beautiful monograph that I highly recommend!
3-“The jewelry box” (🇬🇧) – Arnoldsche
To understand Jorunn Veiteberg’s obsession with jewellery, we must first understand who Charlotte is. In 1990, Jorunn bought a piece of furniture that was exhibited in the F15 gallery in Moss where she was working at the time. Made by the French artist Martine Bedin, this piece of furniture became the setting for Jorunn’s jewellery collection. Would it have existed without Charlotte? Maybe it would have. Maybe not. In any case, it is the meeting of these two souls, for Charlotte definitely has one, that augurs a collection that today counts more than 550 pieces from nearly 230 artists based all over the world.
Jorunn Veiteberg has a doctorate in history from the University of Bergen. She lives and works in Bergen, Norway and also shares some time with the city of Copenhagen, Denmark. Since 2002 she has been a professor of art and design at the Bergen Academy of Art and Design and at the HDK School of Design and Crafts at the University of Goteborg. Her collection is wildly eclectic and exciting. And that’s exactly what this book is about, as it tells the story of his meeting with Charlotte and the building of this incredible collection. Through the 600 illustrations, you will discover incredible archive photos, wonderful pieces that reveal the amazing woman that is Joruun Veitenberg. A book to have in your library!
See you soon!
