Mikromegas, which translates roughly to "small works, large ideas," is a fitting title for an exhibition of collected works that are grand in beauty and originality but small in physical size. The exhibition has been organized by Otto Künzli, a renowned jewellery artist and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany.
These elegant and whimsical stickpins by some of the world's most distinguished jewellery artists challenge the boundaries of contemporary craft. The work of the participating artists - a diverse group from Australia, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and most of Europe - employs an remarkable variety of media, appearance and aesthetic codes. The collection is unified by its bravery, creativity, originality, fine craftsmanship and sense of humor.
Ornamental pins, an ancient jewellery form, are diminutive sculptures balanced on the end of a wire needle. Worn by men and women as ornaments for hats, bodices, ties, cravats and lapels, these fashion accessories reached their pinnacle of popularity in England in the later years of the Victorian era when sporting and animal motifs were in vogue. Stickpins were most popular in the United States during the 1920s.
The stickpins featured in Mikromegas have indeed freed themselves from the conventions of their predecessors and crossed over into contemporary artistic realms. Small only in their physical dimensions, they reveal the boundless creativity of the human mind.
Mikromegas had its inaugural showing during May and June this year at the Gallery of Applied Arts in Munich, Germany. It is the third in a series of exhibitions celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Bavarian Arts and Crafts Association.
This exhibition is made possible by the Exhibition Council, a leadership members' support group of the American Craft Museum, and by a grant from The Karma Foundation.
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