Shining DESPAIR
Maria Konschake
Belgium

Body-related object “41°54’08.5 »N 12°27’14.1 »E » from the series « Prägung », 2020
Fine silver, lead, 260x75x15mm
3D printed, casted

« Prägung » is part of the series « About Space and Identity » which I developed during my Master studies at PXL-MAD School of Arts (BE) in 2020. It is a visualization of European cultural memory within the field of jewellery and objects and deals with the rooms, areas, zones and districts of European history. For the visualisation, 5 points of view were developed. They show not only the plurality of the cultural memory, but also visualise the European struggle between unity and diversity. Furthermore, they illustrate the different facets of the history of the continent.

In this context, « Prägung » deals with the role of the church in shaping European history. The external material of the jewellery-like object created here, is fine silver and thus reflects (historically) the splendour and glory of the Roman Catholic Church. It is pure and fragile also referring to believe itself. However, the interior of the object is filled with cast lead – an apparent contradiction and contamination.
Not only is the object far too heavy to ever be worn, also the chain was made without a clasp and is too short to fit around the head.

The number of chainrings refers to the number of beads in a rosary.

More « Shining DESPAIR »

Shining Despair – Malene Kastalje / Denmark

I am preoccupied with the unpredictable and abnormal aspects of life.

Shining Despair – Eiko Nakahara / Japan

In the current state of the world, people hate each other and there are countries full of hatred.

Shining Despair – Eunhee Cho / South Korea

I have experienced two trials in my life.

Shining Despair – Pilar Viedma / Spain

As every year, at the beginning of autumn, the Mediterranean people know that one day the floodgates of heaven will open …

Shining Despair – Esteban Erosky / Mexico-Spain

Our ability to transform things is so powerful …

Shining Despair – Lily Pree / Greece

Despair is the lack of little breathless reflections.

Shining Despair – Lena Lindahl / Sweden

Half of the world’s coral reefs have vanished since 1950.

Shining Despair – Donald Friedlich / USA

For most of us despair comes and goes.

Shining Despair – Jina Seo / USA-South Korea

My work reveals inner conflict and suffering by contrasting societal expectations with the personal turmoil I often experience.

Shining Despair – Katherine Hubble / Australia

Cultured pearls are created by implanting an irritant into an oyster.