check-in : virtual workshop with motoko furuhashi

I recently had the privilege of participating in a virtual class with one of my all-time favorite artists, Motoko Furuhashi. The two-day workshop, titled "Site Specific Jewelry: The World is Your Studio!" provided a unique glimpse into Motoko's conceptual approach to exploring physical spaces and harnessing the essence of those spaces to craft jewelry, sculptures, and site-specific installations. In addition to these invaluable insights, she generously shared her technical expertise in setting unconventional materials in metal and resin for jewelry-making.

Motoko's art has played a pivotal role in shaping my perception of the world, especially during my early days of jewelry education. Her creations have a remarkable ability to draw attention to often-overlooked details in our environment. She recontextualizes the mundane, like filling cracks in asphalt with vibrant sand or collecting the detritus from sidewalks and roads onto clear packaging tape to create sculptures and brooches that remind me of abstract "landscapes."

Sometimes, I feel like I can view my surroundings through a "Motoko Furuhashi installation" filter. My brain automatically fills in the potholes with bright colors and highlights the intricate features scattered along a sidewalk.

During Motoko's workshop, I wanted to create a piece of jewelry that encapsulated the essence of my surroundings. I started my day by collecting trash on my neighborhood walk and taking photographs to find inspiration. One of the things I got a photo of was these beautiful mushrooms. These mushrooms became my muse. I repurposed bottle caps I had collected from previous litter pickups to craft my piece. I used them to recreate these fascinating fungi.

As I worked on my project, I initially intended to create a ring and incorporate some of the setting techniques Motoko had taught us. However, the composition didn't quite meet my expectations. It wasn't until my evening dog walk that inspiration struck once more. I realized that I could take my work outdoors and rephotograph it, mirroring the images I had taken of the mushrooms earlier.

I don't tend to think of making site-specific work, but it's one of my favorite styles. Needless to say, I was thrilled to have this experience, and I am excited to see how this impacts my work going forward.