LOOT 2018 @ MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN NYC

 Neckpiece by Gian Luca Bartellone

Spotless glass cases carry the "loot" of 35 of the world's most innovative jewelry designers. Unlike the strands of sparkles at Cartier or Tiffany's, the spread at the Museum of Arts and Design's LOOT: MAD About Jewelry takes the conceptual "statement piece" on an artistic adventure. Representing 15 countries, this year's curated selection of contemporary art jewelry brings together an assorted aesthetic with emphasis on non-traditional materials (e.g. 3D printed nylon, safety pins, crocheted textiles, bicycle tires and more). Offering celebrated artists a "public platform for their creative practice" this is MAD's 18th year of being true to its commitment of presenting jewelry as an art form. Keep reading for a peek inside...

RALPH PUCCI: THE ART OF THE MANNEQUIN (PART 2)

Painted feather necklace on a mannequin form at the MAD's Tiffany Jewelry Gallery, part of the Ralph Pucci: The Art of the Mannequin exhibit

At the curatorial hand of Isabel and Ruben Toledo, a unique selection of accessories adorn busts,"Birdland" mannequin forms and assorted display pieces created in partnership with Ralph Pucci. An integral part of the Art of the Mannequin exhibit, the focus of the installation in the Tiffany Gallery turns to the jewelry, illustrating the utility of the showforms. A felt "moonscape" theme runs throughout the space, featuring abstract cut-outs. For a peek at the main mannequin exhibit, click here. Keep reading for more photos of the jewelry gallery... 

LOOT 2014 @ MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN NYC

"Come in--the water is lovely" ring by Helen Noakes

Finding 'unique' in an endless selection of jewelry purveyors has become the proverbial diamond in the rough. This week, at the discriminant palette of curator Byrna Pomp, strands of brightly colored felt legoes meet wire-form flowers and laser-cut leather in a tightly curated showcase of unconventional ingenuity. Running from October 6-10, LOOT 2014 at the Museum of Arts & Design (MAD) features 50 jewelry designers representing 23 countries in a weeklong exhibition and sale. Keep reading to see some stand-outs... 

MULTIPLE EXPOSURES : JEWELRY & PHOTOGRAPHY @ MAD MUSEUM

Feeding Desire brooch by Mary Hallam Pearse, photo by Walker Montgomery (2008)

Photography is infinitely memorable, potentially wearable and discernibly variable over time. When contemporary artists begin relating jewelry and personal identity, a multifaceted approach to wearable photography emerges. Opening May 13th, the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD Museum) introduces a groundbreaking exhibit featuring innovative applications of photography in jewelry. According to MAD Museum's director Glenn Adamson, "Multiple Exposures: Jewelry and Photography offers the first rigorous survey and exploration of the deep and multifaceted relationship between these two mediums."  

Looking Back at 2013

Excerpts from: Shoe Obsession at FIT, Gatsby at Prada, Punk: Chaos to Couture at the MET, Jean Paul Gaultier at the Brooklyn Museum

2013 was a memorable year for exhibiting fashion in NYC. A sizeable shoe exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Technology's Shoe Obsession in February was followed by a seemingly endless stream of publicity around The Great Gatsby in April/May and an unprecedented number of displays emphasizing queer fashion throughout the year. Punk had a banner year, with a hefty Chaos to Couture exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum and an impressive Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at The Brooklyn Museum. Rounding out the category of "fashion," jewelry was the main feature at the MAD's Fashion Jewelry: The Collection of Barbara Berger exhibit and the MET's Jewels by JAR show. Keep reading to view my top picks for 2013...

FASHION JEWELRY : THE COLLECTION OF BARBARA BERGER at the MAD

The back room gallery space on the 2nd floor of the MAD

Set in a fantasy world of bountiful bijoux, visitors are struck with bejewled brilliance as they enter the second floor gallery space of the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD). With the opening of Fashion Jewelry: The Collection of Barbara Berger, the MAD has on display nearly 500 pieces from Berger's personal collection spanning from vintage 1920's to modern day and representing both contemporary and established designers. With over 4,000 pieces in her personal collection, Berger comments "It's a LOT of work to put together a show--each piece is hand-picked!"

FASHION JEWELRY @ THE MAD

A couple shots from this morning's preview at the Museum of Arts and Design

This morning, I was attended the press preview of the Fashion Jewelry: The Collection of Barbara Berger at the Museum of Arts and Design. Here's a teaser and promise of more to come. Be sure to follow along on my newly created Instagram (stylecurated)!