JASON STEIN
Watch Jason Stein's interview on Youtube.
THE APPARATUS OF ADORNMENT
I have always been inspired by the mystery and grandeur of classic stage magicians and illusionists. From a young age I was fascinated by the magician Houdini and his escape performances utilizing handcuffs, locks, and means of confinement. This led me to explore the manipulation, deconstruction, and creation of trick locks and devices.
From this I developed the hand skills, material knowledge, and love of tools that started my journey into metalsmithing and jewelry. In my studio practice, I often feel like an illusionist or performer trying to convince an audience or viewer of the validity of a piece, technique, or conceptual framework through subtle deception and trickery. This self-doubt drive me to create.
This body of work and video performance is an exploration and meditation on the performative nature of one's creative studio practice and the grand illusions we create for ourselves and others, both knowingly and subconsciously.
www.jasonsteinmetals.com
Instagram@jasonsteinmetals
"Temporal Resonance #6" - Pendant, 2020. Steel, Brass, Polyester Cord. Photo: J. Stein