MAJESTIC, IMPRESSIVE, & OPULENT: JEWELRY INSPIRED BY INDIA
December 23, 2023 – February 24, 2024
<br />The sky… seemed a great blue eye which was looking lovingly at the earth." -Théophile Gautier<br /><br /> Mythic and earth-centric iconography of divine Hindu gods and goddesses of India comingles with tight rope walking heroines, turn-of-the-century pearl divers and acrobatic aerialists to form a visual anthology of liberation, bravery, introspection and humor to support and encourage the realization that all of nature is waiting for us to allow ourselves to be loved, just as we are. The natural world is waiting for us to realize that we are a part of the web of life, not separate from it. In Hindu teachings, nature and the environment are not outside of us; they are an inseparable part of our existence, and they constitute our very bodies. Several Hindu traditions regard the earth as a goddess to be protected and venerated, and reverence for the water and land are an intrinsic part of daily life; there is no need for environmentalism, an ecology of unity is simply embraced.
The dome was inspired by my 2008 visit to the 16th century Amer Palace and Fort in Jaipur, India. There I saw an Asian Ring-necked parrot, standing atop a dome.
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The sky… seemed a great blue eye which was looking lovingly at the earth." -Théophile Gautier
Mythic and earth-centric iconography of divine Hindu gods and goddesses of India comingles with tight rope walking heroines, turn-of-the-century pearl divers and acrobatic aerialists to form a visual anthology of liberation, bravery, introspection and humor to support and encourage the realization that all of nature is waiting for us to allow ourselves to be loved, just as we are. The natural world is waiting for us to realize that we are a part of the web of life, not separate from it. In Hindu teachings, nature and the environment are not outside of us; they are an inseparable part of our existence, and they constitute our very bodies. Several Hindu traditions regard the earth as a goddess to be protected and venerated, and reverence for the water and land are an intrinsic part of daily life; there is no need for environmentalism, an ecology of unity is simply embraced.
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The dome was inspired by my 2008 visit to the 16th century Amer Palace and Fort in Jaipur, India. There I saw an Asian Ring-necked parrot, standing atop a dome.
![1_image]( "1_image")
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MAJESTIC, IMPRESSIVE, & OPULENT: JEWELRY INSPIRED BY INDIA
December 23, 2023 – February 24, 2024
Throughout ancient times and today, jewelry and gems have played a fundamental role around the world and in the history of India. In pursuit of these jewels, wars and empires have been fought and won searching for these riches.
Jewels have always been considered a force and symbol of power, conveying authority, with powerful messages of honor and love. For the wedding ceremony, elaborate wedding necklaces in India were embellished with snakes or fish, symbolizing fertility, nose rings were worn, depicting happiness in the union.
Gems and stones protect the wearer from negative energy, bringing good health, wealth, mental strength and wisdom. Vibrantly colored gems, such as spinels, rubies, sapphires and lustrous enamels symbolically represented the surging forces of life: red as blood, manifesting the life force of the animal kingdom, green, with emeralds, signified pIant life, a combination of the blue sky merging with the yellow sun.
We invited artists to create their own history, vision and interpretation of jewelry using their innovative techniques and materials.