[Jewelry making - Article 00678] - Re: [Orchid] Metalsmith's Exhibition in Print

[braper]

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    I am eagerly reading the on-going discussion spurred on by the
    Metalsmith exhibition in print. Including the many comments and
    gripes about skill and materials it seems that the earlier so-called
    "porno" issue got a few more noses out of joint. It appears as if
    those attached to these noses were waiting for an opportunity. 

    It may or may not be worth suggesting that Keith Lewis's work is a
    renewal of the historical tradition of erotic jewelry. If you
    recognize that one of the central functions of jewelry is to attract
    a sexual  partner or celebrate a reproductive union then Keith
    Lewis=92s work is in many ways very conventional. How ironic then is i=
t
    that the complaints often seem to come from those who would defend
    tradition? 

    A cursory survey of ancient Greek and Roman goldsmithing as well
    Indian and African traditions will reveal abundant examples of
    graphic and abstract erotic imagery. Go to any decent Museum or one
    of the auction houses dealing in antiquities or peruse their
    catalogues and you'll see. Even cultures, which sublimate overt
    erotic depictions, commemorate and invite fertility and fecundity.
    Everyone who has ever worn a flower brooch or a pendent participates
    in and commemorates this tradition. It may seem reductionistic and
    the "Bible thumpers" won't like this but aren=92t all the teenagers
    wearing choker chains from Target, and Wal-Mart saying in effect
    "Hey, look at my face and eyes.  Aren=92t I (sexually an otherwise)
    cool? 

    Perhaps the cause celebre in Lewis's work is its overt homosexual
    themes. The negative reactions and comments seem to arise from phobic
    attitudes and impulses from people who can=92t deal with the realities
    of sexuality let alone celebrate it.  If Metalsmith had published a
    survey of Roman gem carving replete with lustful images of Pan and
    erect phalluses surrounded by gold granulation (much now in vogue)
    would there have been a complaint? 

    I can=92t help but be reminded of the troubles that D.H. Lawrence,
    Henry Miller, An=E4is Ninn, William S. Burroughs, Robert Mapplethorpe
    and countless others got into for celebrating sex, and gilded youth.
    How tiring these troubles are. To me the more pertinent questions
    about an artist=92s work include, does its execution and formal
    qualities best reveal the artists intent and while doing so reflect
    or challenge the concerns of its community and time'  Generally, I
    would like to see Lewis distorting anatomical proportions more
    through caricature or by staying truer to them. But in the mix with
    his poignant statements and challenges though, these formal concerns
    are trifling. To simply dismiss his work as =93porno=94 reveals more
    about the personality of the writer  (maybe this is the point) and
    is meaningless to the craft. 

Just my two cents worth. I gotta go back to work.

Bruce Raper
Studio Goldsmith

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