Faithful Companions

Completely motionless, immersed in gold and silver, adorned with precious stones, they appear shining and graceful in the light. Every fiber and structure of their bodies becomes distinct. One might think they emerged from Renaissance drawings, which sought to explore nature with scientific interest.

They would certainly have had a place in the art and curiosity cabinets of that time thanks to their appearance, as these contained not only paintings or sculptures. Objects from nature as well as those made from precious metals were an integral part of these collections. There was an attempt to present the world and the things occurring in it within a few rooms, creating a microcosm within the macrocosm.

The creation process closely resembles this interest in natural specimens and scientific processes. The animals are found dead. They are coated with conductive lacquer and immersed in an acid bath. The dissolved precious metal particles adhere to the bodies with the help of electricity. They cover every tiny detail. This galvanization process is an experiment each time anew, with unpredictable results. Then silicone molds of the insects are made, which are subsequently filled with wax. The template for the jewelry pieces is created. With this technique, the artist achieves a hyperrealistic reproduction of nature. Everyday connotations of insects, such as their permanent presence and the aversion towards them, seem to be turned into something positive in the jewelry. The delicacy of the bodies is aestheticized through the shine. Thoughts of their persistent behavior can be associated with loyalty. Their usefulness in nature shows that even small things contribute their part to the greater whole. The objects therefore appear almost magical to me. A piece of a cabinet of curiosities to take with you, a faithful companion of everyday life.

© Text: Ilka Jeggle