la ciudad y el agua
Basic information
Project Title
Category
Project Description
Intentamos entender la “vida” en las ciudades observando su infraestructura y desarrollo pero también analizando el día a día de sus habitantes y los detalles que componen su identidad.
“ La ciudad y el agua ” vincula la joyería con la literatura a través de la creación de cinco broches basados en cinco cuentos de mi propia autoría, inspirados en el estilo de prosa del libro de Italo Calvino, “ Las ciudades invisibles ” . Esta serie es una expresión de la relación de mi C i ty (
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Description of the project
Summary
“The city and water” is a project that aims to associate jewellery and literature, creating a series of five unique pieces based on five texts by the artist that would make up a new series of Italo Calvino's book The Invisible Cities. The series would show the link between the city, in this case València, and water.
The project aims to understand the "life" of cities through their infrastructures and their development, but also to reflect the everyday life of their inhabitants and to project those details that show their inner appearance and make each city unique. Those details that can differentiate it, for better or for worse, and that give it its own identity to the city
With regard to the interpretations that can be made of the cities described by Italo Calvino in The Invisible Cities, the most obvious are those that have to do with architecture and urban planning, or with the social and personal aspect of their inhabitants, although the texts sometimes do not even mention them.
But there are other interpretations. In the stories one can find intangible values and existential questions such as loneliness and happiness; the ephemeral and the eternal. Questions that transcend beyond the visible and material. This is possibly the question that is most interesting in terms of carrying out the project, thus moving away from the mere plastic interpretation of its texts.
Taking into account different aspects, many cities can be the same city at the same time or, on the contrary, the same city can be many cities. In this sense, the aim is to argue that, nowadays, many cities have problems and circumstances that make them very similar, especially in recent times, taking into account such standard aspects as globalisation or the tendency to build hyper-connected cities. However, the same city can also be and is "read", "interpreted" and "experienced" differently depending on the historical moment in which it is studied or the eyes of the person visualising it.
Key objectives for sustainability
Sustainability is present in the project, both in its theme and in the production of the pieces.
The main theme (the city and the water) makes us reflect on how water is a fundamental element for the development of cities and civilisation. The geographical location is also very important. Most cities are associated with a river, a gulf or a bay and the control they have over their water infrastructures, because "a developed society is a society that dominates water". It is not difficult to confirm this statement in the Mediterranean environment, if we think of cultures such as the Roman or Muslim ones, which have had such an influence on the development of the city of València.
Likewise, some of the issues dealt with in the project are:
- Climate. València is a sunny city most of the year, but, at the same time, it is the third most favourable place in the world for the DANA or cold drop effect. The 1957 flooding of València is considered the most important urban catastrophe in Europe.
- The problems created by the growth of one of the most important ports in Europe for the city and its surroundings.
- The irrigation system, of Arab origin, created from small communities to form the well-known Tribunal de las Aguas (the oldest of the existing institutions of justice in Europe. It is responsible for settling disputes between farmers over the use and development of irrigation water), a World Heritage Site.
- The 2 riverbeds of the city. The old one, which has been converted into a green space and its transversality makes it accessible to almost all its inhabitants, and the new one, which in the future will be converted into a natural park.
On the other hand, sustainability is also to be found in the materials used to make the pieces. Many of the materials have been recycled and have been worked with artisan jewellery techniques to dignify them.
The packaging that accompanies the pieces is also made of recycled cardboard.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
A fact to highlight is the use of alternative materials (materials not commonly used in classical jewellery such as precious stones and metals) for the elaboration of the project. It was one of the most important characteristics that I set out to fulfil from the ideation, but I had doubts about their integration in pieces of fine jewellery, as they are usually considered "not very valuable materials".
I was also concerned about the fact that they would work individually with their story and also as a collection.
I think I have achieved this by combining materials that only appear in one piece, such as glass or tyre rubber, and which give it personality, with others that, although with different meanings, have helped me to unify the collection, such as oxide plates and spray paint.
These materials, combined with handcrafted metal and taking advantage of the possibilities offered by the riveting and assembly techniques, lead me to the conclusion that I have obtained a work with which I feel identified and which I consider identifies me.
It is the task of contemporary jewellery designers and of this project to make it known that design and jewellery go hand in hand with creativity, art, alternative materials and feelings. To open up new horizons; to break stereotypes and show that a piece of jewellery has more value "for what it says" than for the materials used to create it.
Key objectives for inclusion
Jewellery often has a series of components that distance it from the average consumer. The classic metals and precious stones used or the concept of a unique and exclusive piece can generate a very high cost of the product and, with it, a barrier with the general public.
One of the ideas of this project is to break down this barrier by making known my discipline, contemporary jewellery, with the help of other disciplines such as literature or photography. In this way I intend to make the project more accessible and affordable, so that not only the owner of the original piece can enjoy it.
That is why the project is not just a series of pieces of jewellery. It is accompanied by a small storybook illustrated with images of the pieces. Currently, I am still working on a disc-book in which the stories were narrated.
Results in relation to category
Despite the short time that has passed since the presentation of the project (June 2021), it has been selected to participate in the student exhibition of the Ibero-American Design Biennial that has been held in Madrid between November 2021 and January 2022.
At the regional level, the “Inna” piece has been a finalist in the Valencian Community Crafts Awards, in the category of emerging talents.
As part of the events organised by Word Design Capital Valencia 2022, the piece As-Saqyha will be part of the “Closing fashion show” of the design meeting organised by EASD València Diálogos 2022.
Another of the events in which the project will participate in the coming months will be the 20th anniversary exhibition of the speciality of jewellery at the EASD València on the occasion of the Word Design Capital Valencia 2022.
How Citizens benefit
It is too early to assess the benefits that the project may bring to citizens, but I consider that simply by having carried it out, I am already collaborating in the dissemination of contemporary jewellery, as well as making known the work of Italo Calvino and a good part of the history and origins of the city of València and its hydrological heritage.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
The creation of the pieces based on the writing of its own texts in which Calvino's book is used as inspiration to capture characteristics that give the city of València its personality is innovative. The work of the Italian writer is known and considered by all as a great tribute to cities and their lifestyle at a time when they are in crisis.
As a second tool for transmitting my concerns, the use of contemporary jewellery is also innovative to narrate these stories through the pieces, created in a totally handmade way and loaded with symbolism to represent aspects so typical of València and water, such as its river, its climate, its irrigation system or its port.
Learning transferred to other parties
I believe that transferring the idea of this project to other cities would be truly enriching. The investigation of how something as apparently simple as water is managed in other environments would provide us with knowledge of their particularities and the possibility of applying it in necessary spaces. At the same time, we would undoubtedly discover aspects in common that would reaffirm the needs that we have as individuals and as a global community.
Also, on a more global level, release this project would mean having the opportunity to disseminate contemporary jewellery, a discipline that is currently largely unknown and which can contribute a great deal to enriching the concept of art.
