Hello Everyone !
WHO ARE WE ARE WHAT ARE WE ABOUT
SWAP started in January 2019. It is a unique collaboration between Kasia Wozniak, a photographer known for wet plate collodion photography and Lucie Gledhill, a jeweller known for chain making.
We are interested in material exchange between two makers and the many possibilities of silver in jewellery, chain, photography and mirror. Our collaborations rely on nitric acid which is the means by which we are able to ‘swap’ silver from chain to photograph. We lay bare the process of making and collaborating seeking truth through materials.
The use of nitric acid has quite literally become the acid test and we have realised that it is impossible to predict an outcome. Instead, it has become necessary to embrace chance and respond instinctively whilst working together and with the material which has resulted in a collaboration which develops and surprises us in its originality.
OUR ANNOUNCEMENT
We are excited and proud to announce that Swap has been selected for Collect Open part of the Collect International Fair for Modern Craft and Design in February 2020 at Somerset House, London.
Collect celebrates over 400 artists presented by galleries coming from across the globe to this London stage, showcasing exceptional works in ceramics, glass, metal, wood and textiles to makers working in non-traditional materials with experimental techniques.
In addition to the main fair Collect Open presents new ambitious craft installations by individual artists and collectives and a lively talks programme explores contemporary craft with leading voices from the worlds of craft, design, architecture, fashion and art.
This is a unique opportunity to show our work as an instillation. As we prepare for the exhibition we will share our learning and process through our social media channells and webistes. So follow us to see a learning experimental conversation between two makers exploring new ideas and process in the overlap between our practices.
@kasiawozniak @luciegledhilljewellery
WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED SO FAR
In Janurary we produced two pilot projects SWAP1 and SWAP2 during which we learnt how to make silver nitrate. We watched the magical moment when silver nitrate crystallised before our eyes turning from liquid to solid crystal and in that moment becoming light sensitive – a material for Kasia to use in her photography. So much learning has already happened and there is so much more to learn.
We have made silver nitrate!
We have made a mirror!
We have made our own solder!
We have made our own gold alloys!
All this has been an amazing leap. We intend to share our own learning and continue to learn. We want to work up to the limits of the material, and through a deeper understanding of our materials we can better challenge our practices.
WHAT WE WANT TO DO NEXT AND WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP?
We are making 3 additional projects for Collect Open:
SWAP_3 TRUTH
We want to make a silver chain soldered together with gold solder which after completion will be entirely dissolved in nitric acid. All that will be left is the gold solder, the negative space of the chain, a trace, a fossil. The dissolved chain will be collected as silver nitrate and used to grow silver crystals which will creep over the surface of a silver photograph.
SWAP_4 POSSIBILITIES
We will make a single fragile hollow chain link in gold foil. Supporting silver from inside the fragile foil is dissolved away in nitric acid. Silver nitrate will be collected to make a mirror solution which will be poured over glass. The mirrors will be arranged in a way to reflect the single chain link through infinite repetitions into imagined chain.
SWAP_ 5 PERCEPTION
We want to explore the colour blue within our practices. Blue is a colour which is not recognised by early photographic proceses such as wet plate collodion photography. Blue is also a colour which has come to signify contamination within our process. Blue signifies the presscence of copper.
We will make a large copper chain paternated blue with copper nitrate and a photograph with a blue projection. Blue chain ‘tricks’ the camera, distorting reality and highlighting ‘flaws’ in the process
We will be experimenting with crystallisation, light and installation.
WHERE WILL YOUR MONEY GO?
The money raised will cover partially the expenses of materials and of the space at the Somerset House during the exhibition.
It will also contribute towards the production of a zine which we will distribute at the exhibition and to anyone who contributes to this kickstarter.
It will also contribute to the heavy cost of precious metals.
You can find out more about our individual practices here:
Kasia: www.kasiaw.com
Lucie: www.luciegledhill.com
We have been selected for the Collect Open and with your support we will be showing our new work during the exhibition at the Somerset House in February 2020. It is VERY unlikely that anything will go wrong. You won’t have to wait long until you get your gifts delivered no matter where you are in the world!