MFA exhibitions feature jewelry, fiber art

Mary Ann Georgantopoulos

Issue date: 5/23/07 Section: The Inside

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Media Credit: Photo Courtesy/MFA

"Necklace," by Alexander Calder, is one of more than 200 pieces featured in "Jewelry by Artists: The Daphne Farago Collection." The exhibit expresses Caddle's belief in his jewelry's ability to move.

A jellyfish-shaped pendant gleamed from within its case. A likeness of Mickey Mouse danced on a yellow jar made of ash splints and paper. Printed on silk, John Travolta's face glared from a small wooden easel.

These works were among a large collection of jewelry and textiles displayed at two separate exhibitions that opened yesterday at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA).

"Jewelry by Artists: The Daphne Farago Collection" features work by leading 20th-century American and European artists. The collection was donated by art collectors Daphne and Peter Farago in January 2006.

With more than 200 pieces, the exhibition showed material and sculptural forms of jewelry that were made in independent studios and date back to the 1940s.

"[The jewelry] is not a commercial design. It's not Tiffany's, it's not bling," said Kelly L'Ecuyer, an MFA assistant curator.

A silver necklace by Alexander Calder was inspired by African and ancient Greek and Roman jewelry. With its oval form and hourglass-shaped metal plates, it exemplifies the artist's belief that jewelry has movement, L'Ecuyer said.

A ring by Margaret DePatta embodies the principles of constructivism including geometry, space and transparency.

Because of his passion for collecting stones, artist Sam Kramer frequently walked around with a pocket full of stones, many of which are included in his jewelry, L'Ecuyer said.

The largest collection of jewelry in the museum belongs to Robert Ebendorf, who was influenced by pop art. He did not fear using a wide range of materials, L'Ecuyer said. His work includes an assembly of styrofoam balls, Chinese newspapers and gold, all in one necklace.

With its intricate and angular designs, most of the jewelry on display appears difficult to wear. For example, "Oh! I am precious!" made by Gene Pijanowski, is a large necklace made of gold paper. When worn, the necklace would extend from one shoulder to the other.

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