Fidgeting Eyes 2024
Fidgeting Eye (detail), found nang, reused plastic bead, sterling silver, waxed linen. 2024. Image Michelle Bowden.
I spend a lot of time walking, observing, and collecting mainly metal items from roads. These regularly find their way into my studio as materials for my work. I find discarded Nitrous Oxide Bulbs aka nangs frequently. The frequency, in this context, suggesting their having been used for purposes other than their marketed purpose of making fizzy drinks at home. Nangs are easily accessible and cheap. And unlike a lot of street drugs, a nang due to its status as a mass-produced commercial product is of a consistent standard; no pill testing is needed. It doesn’t mean though that the use of nangs is without risk and the Australian Drug and Alcohol Foundation (ADF) provides advice on safe administration to avoid frost bite, falls and unnecessary risks, the ADF also advises to take vitamin B12 after, warning that nitrous oxide depletes B12 from the body and long-term depletion will cause brain and nerve damage. I wonder do the people who drop the nangs know this?
Fidgeting Eyes, found nangs, reused plastic beads, sterling silver, waxed linen. 2024. Image Michelle Bowden.
The Fidgeting Eyes were curated by Dauvit Alexander into the exhibition No Laughing Matter in the United Kingdom. The exhibition opened at Bloomspace as part of the Hereford Ferrous Festival 15 – 24 March 2024. The exhibition then toured to the School of Jewellery Vittoria Street Gallery Birmingham City University 1- 29 July 2024.
From the Press Release:
No Laughing Matter
No Laughing Matter considers the recent criminalisation of nitrous oxide (NOS) use in order to solve a nationwide littering problem. Using the discarded NOS cannisters as a source material for making objects, metalsmiths of all types were invited to submit their works in an open call, curated by Dauvit Alexander. The show has been curated with a light touch, attracting both emerging and established makers. Dauvit hopes that the works presented encourage people to think about the way in which the legal system is used as a blunt instrument to deal with minor issues and about how the media can use moral panics to influence government policy.
The exhibition features work from a range of makers, both local and international, from sculpture to jewellery and even musical instruments.
The show came about as a result of a conversation between Dauvit and Hereford College of Art graduate, Tom Hancock.
Dauvit Alexander is a Senior Lecturer in Jewellery and Silversmithing at Birmingham’s School of Jewellery and has an established practice in socially- engaged making and craftivism. His work is widely represented in publications and is held by both Goldsmiths’ Hall and the British Museum.
The exhibition is part of a two-week festival of metalwork, Ferrous, held in Hereford. The festival opens on 15th March, 2024.
Exhibitions
Ferrous Festival, Hereford, 15th - 24th March 2024
School of Jewellery, Birmingham, 1st - 29th July 2024
No Laughing Matter
No Laughing Matter considers the recent criminalisation of nitrous oxide (NOS) use in order to solve a nationwide littering problem. Using the discarded NOS cannisters as a source material for making objects, metalsmiths of all types were invited to submit their works in an open call, curated by Dauvit Alexander. The show has been curated with a light touch, attracting both emerging and established makers. Dauvit hopes that the works presented encourage people to think about the way in which the legal system is used as a blunt instrument to deal with minor issues and about how the media can use moral panics to influence government policy.
The exhibition features work from a range of makers, both local and international, from sculpture to jewellery and even musical instruments.
The show came about as a result of a conversation between Dauvit and Hereford College of Art graduate, Tom Hancock.
Dauvit Alexander is a Senior Lecturer in Jewellery and Silversmithing at Birmingham’s School of Jewellery and has an established practice in socially- engaged making and craftivism. His work is widely represented in publications and is held by both Goldsmiths’ Hall and the British Museum.
The exhibition is part of a two-week festival of metalwork, Ferrous, held in Hereford. The festival opens on 15th March, 2024.
Exhibitions
Ferrous Festival, Hereford, 15th - 24th March 2024
School of Jewellery, Birmingham, 1st - 29th July 2024