A Jewelry Study on the Coexistence of Emotions - Focusing on Copper Electroforming

Abstract

In this thesis, I intend to explore the meaning and significance of ambivalence, my personal understanding of feeling the coexistence of emotions, and how my emotional fluctuations have ultimately resulted to choosing copper electroforming technique and other specific materials to carry on the jewelry practices. Through recordings and observations on personal thoughts and feelings, I have realized that my works reflected my emotional status: the emotion not being composed of a simple and straightforward state, but rather being the amalgamation of them existing simultaneously. In psychology, such understanding of two or more emotions coexisting towards a subject is called ambivalence. I found ways to recreate my emotional states from directly transforming drawings to three-dimensional figures by using copper electroforming technique. Other techniques like laser-welding and casting, and materials such as stainless steel, acrylic sheets, spray paint, silver, and charcoal were used to accentuate the fragility of the copper units, yet firmly create a jewelry piece for a comfortable wear. I realized that I have actually accepted my ambivalent mind before I was even aware of it, and was portraying the positivity of having contrary emotions through my works. In order to reflect the coexistence of emotions, I juxtaposed two or more contrary components (i.e. combining delicately created electroformed units with a sturdy acrylic sheet) in a single jewelry piece. As much as I was afraid to be in such a confusing state of mind, I wanted to be able to tell those who see the following works to feel more positive about how they feel about withholding many different emotions towards certain subjects. Throughout this thesis project, I have slowly begun to understand my inner self, and anticipate exploring who I am not only as an art jeweler, but also as an individual continuously trying to discover myself.