Metrosideros Robusta

5 - 15 August 2008

Karl Fritsch [Germany]

A showcase of more then a decade of works from this young enfant terrible German goldsmith, also known as 'Lord of the Rings'. Fritsch's work is cutting edge, teasing old and new conventions in jewellery.

images

Karl Fritsch Ring, 2007 gold	Karl Fritsch Ring, 2007 gold	Karl Fritsch Ring, 2007 gold	Karl Fritsch Ring, 2007
Karl Fritsch Ring, 2006 gold	Karl Fritsch Ring, 2006 gold	Karl Fritsch Ring, 2004 silver oxidised, glass stone	Karl Fritsch Rings, 2003 - 2006 silver oxidised
Karl Fritsch Rings, 2003 silver oxidised, rubies, sapphire, glass stone	Karl Fritsch Rings, 1994 - 2006 gold, white gold	Karl Fritsch Brooches, 1994 - 1997 gold, brass, silver oxidised, steel	Karl Fritsch Brooches, 1998 - 2004 silver, gold, copper, emerald, garnet, diamond, ruby, sapphire

Essay

METROSIDEROS ROBUSTA

Karl Fritsch's jewellery - generally rings - often have a cheeky, humorous look to them. His frequent choice of deliberately clunky, apparently almost childish forms contradicts the common expectation that jewellery should seduce the viewer through its perfection and classic beauty. Fritsch's secret is the paradox that a degree of clumsiness actually attracts attention. His clever use of this fact means that his designs change the viewer's perception of jewellery, and still more that of the wearer, who enjoys a yet closer interaction with the piece.

At the start of his career, Fritsch concentrated on the 'restyling' and 'upgrading' (or, to use a fancy word, 'deconstruction') of conventional pieces of jewellery, modifying them while still preserving and respecting their history. Past exhibition titles have sometimes referred to this procedure - for example, his presentation at Art Amsterdam 2003 was called Refreshing Jewellery, An Affectionate Look at Old Jewellery. The same is also true of METROSIDEROS ROBUSTA. The title is the Latin name of the Northern rata, a tree which starts life as an epiphyte in the branches of another tree. As it grows the epiphyte rata sends roots down to the ground and eventually becomes independent of its host. Fritsch's early jewellery underwent a similar process. In recent years, however, his pieces have become entirely his own creation.

Fritsch manages to give a new and original twist to materials, techniques, conventions and ultimately to his own profession. His rings are made of gold, but it is dull; they are studded variously with gemstones or with glitzy pieces of glass; even finger marks serve as a form of decoration, as do what appear to be loose heaps of minuscule clay balls. Fritsch's trademark is the way he plays with clichés and breaks down stereotypes. The results can be truly spectacular.

This exhibition of work by Karl Fritsch is being held in Australia to mark the award of the biennial Françoise van den Bosch Prize 20061, accompanying this exhibition is the substantial publication Karl Fritsch - METROSIDEROS ROBUSTA2

Karl Fritsch (b. Sonthofen, 1963) lives and works in Munich. He trained in Pforzheim and Munich and is a member of a generation of goldsmiths/jewellery designers who quickly attracted international recognition through the experimental and mind-broadening nature of their work.

Footnotes
1- Founded in 1980, this prize is awarded every two years to a jewellery designer (generally with an international reputation) producing work of exceptional quality that is proving inspirational for a younger generation of artists. The independence of the award decision is guaranteed by the appointment of an international jury. For more information please refer to www.fvandenbosch.nl
2- Karl Fritsch - METROSIDEROS ROBUSTA, Darling Publications. Cologne & New York, 2006. ISBN: 978-3-939130-13-0. Ed. Andy Lim. The publication covers more than a decade of works by this young 'enfant terrible' German goldsmith known as 'Lord of the Rings'. This lavishly produced 2 kg monography presents 444 pgs, 21 x 24.5 cm, 6 sorts of luxurious paper with 24 chapters, 1093 photographs and 26 essays in 13 languages contributed by international experts: Robert Baines, Warwick Freeman, Helen Drutt, Graziela Folchini Grassetto, Hiko Mizuno, Paolo Tuminelli, Paul Derrez and more. Printed and bound in Germany, this book is released in a limited edition of worldwide 1000 books, making the number of books produced smaller than the amount of illustrations in a single publication.

Opening

Catalogue

Invitation

Sponsors and AcknoWledgements

Karl Fritsch tour organised by Prof. Robert Baines, RMIT Gold and Silversmithing.

Karl Fritsch is represented in Australia by Gallery Funaki (Melbourne, Victoria).

Images

Essay

Opening Images

Concurrent School of Art Gallery Exhibition: It's Got Legs

Catalogue

Invitation

Sponsors and Acknowledgements