Neo Plastic Jewellery Artefacts (Japan) in Treasure Room Australia - Schatzkammer Australien

BACKGROUND Neo Plastic Jewellery Artefacts continue an exploration of the relationship between the macro- and micro-world in terms of interaction with the human body. These pieces are both wearable and collectable objects. Bastin was invited to display 7 works, 3 of which were new creations, looking at the notion of false entropy depicted within the object. As both jewellery and plasticised miniature they imply a fictional history through physical characteristics associated with degeneration. Cast resin components were developed to build original jewellery objects that express an individual narrative. CONTRIBUTION Bastin takes the narrative of futuristic utopian worlds to explore the potential of contemporary jewellery through a lens of popular culture imagery from sci-fi and manga. This playful approach also has a touch of 'hoax': are the works ceremonial from a parallel world, archaeological relics of a world not yet known or created? Here the choice of material exploits the aesthetic strength and technical malleability of plastic adds to the sense of theatre from artefact, rather than ornament. SIGNIFICANCE Treasure Room Australia - Schatzkammer Australien was a presentation of 24 Australian jewellery artists at Galerie Handwerk in Munich during Schmuck, one of the most dynamic and prestigious international exhibitions of contemporary jewellery. Curated by Prof.Robert Baines on the invitation of the director Wolfgang Lösche. The selection presented 'diverse philosophies' of jewellery making in Australia from a group of jewellery artists including those who have won prizes and accolades nationally and internationally.