After traditional jewelry training in Japan, Jiro Kamata continued his studies at Akademie der Bildenden Kunste in Munich, where he began to experiment with different materials, including camera lenses.
[nonmember]This archived post is for Members Only. Click here to become a member or to get a one day pass. If you are a member, please login to view the post. [/nonmember] [private_archives]
Momentopia Brooch, blackened silver, lacquer, camera lenses
Arboresque brooches, painted camera lenses, blackened silver
While Kamata explored camera lenses as a subject, his experiments led him to the discovery that painting the back of each lens resulted in “the deepest black and brightest white imaginable” while reflection and refraction of light gave the glass a rainbow of color.
Momentopia Necklaces, camera lenses, lacquer, blackened silver
Represented by Ornamentum Gallery in Hudson, New York, the gallery’s website describes the viewer’s experience this way: “While the observer studies the jewelry object, a reflection on the mysteries of the surrounding environment, not to mention the memories and experiences that have passed through the glass within it’s lifetime, become an intrinsic part of the encounter.”
The artist’s earlier work includes necklaces made from plastic sunglass lenses that have been laser etched and combined with blackened silver.
Sunny Pendant, plastic sunglass lens, laser carving, blackened silver
[/private_archives]
