Necklace by Una Mikuda. Photo by Mārtiņš Cīrulis

From February 8 to April 21, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design in Riga will host an extensive exhibition, Touch-sensitive, of jewellery art from different generations and styles, highlighting the development and succession in the field. In the new exhibition, the works of 23 artists from the Jewellery Art Association will be placed in the context of their makers and wearers. Alongside the jewellery, the exhibition will feature portraits of those who wear it, and visitors will also be able to explore the story of how the pieces were made.

Stories Editorial January 29, 2024

The idea of the Latvian Jewellery Art Association’s exhibition Touch-sensitive is based on stories about people, the jewellery they have chosen, and the artists behind the works. The title of the exhibition also describes the nature of jewellery — to have physical contact with people. The exhibition will present the artists’ newly-created original works, the stories about the creative experience of each designer and the moment when the piece of jewellery meets its new owner. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the magic allure of jewellery, the diversity of contemporary means of expression, to get to know the specifics of jewellery, and the synergy of the diverse materials.

Alongside artists’ works, the exhibition will show photographer Mārtiņš Cīrulis’ photographic portraits, providing a multi-faceted reflection of the visual dialogue between jewellery and its wearers. The artists have created jewellery for doctors, diplomats, philologists, students, teachers, painters, themselves, their relatives, and colleagues. Sound designer Pēteris Pāss has created for the exhibition a composition from recordings of the voices of the owners of jewellery.

 

The exhibition’s unusual format, which focuses on the revelation of the perception of jewellery from the perspective of its wearers, will foster understanding about new experimental means of artistic expression and stimulate public interest in the development of the field of jewellery design. The educational programme prepared especially for the museum will ensure the promotion of discussion and dialogue in society.

 

The exhibition Touch-Sensitive will be on view at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design from February 8 to April 21. In anticipation of a wide audience interest, the museum will extend its opening hours on Fridays during the exhibition period — on Wednesdays and Fridays the museum will be open from 11:00 to 19:00.