Metalsmith BenchTalk with Brian Adam

On the Thursday, July 8th program at 3PM Pacific and 6 PM Eastern, I chat with Brian Adam, who humbly describes himself 'a jeweller who makes spectacles'. See: http://adam.co.nz/index.html for more information and some of those spectacles to whit he refers. Brian Adam is 'a jeweller with an eye for fun. Spectacles are one of the most interesting areas of body adornment for me, and the most humorous, my earrings and rings are also quite light-hearted. My work continues to vacillate between extremes, between the loose organics of molten metals and the computer precision of functional spectacles. I notice I've been this way since my early days at design school: 8hr-long drawings were as fascinating to me as 10 second drawings were delightful. As far as I can tell I'm the only thread connecting my various styles. I made my first spectacles in 1981 when I put pauashell sunglasses into the collective of NZ kitsch, and eventually my work became more exacting and methodical.' 'When making an exact replica of some beautiful 1930s Aviators for a customer I was quite inspired by the way that the pressed-metal technology of the day dictated how they fitted to a variety of face shapes, and when comparing them to the modern Aviator frame I could see it has lost the design innovations of those originals.' 'I use the malleable metals (silver, tin, gold, copper) that I alloy when required, and mix up with gemstones and common industrial materials... 'Pillow' rings are the result of playful action drawings in pure gold, silver and a few gemstones.' 'Eyewear history tells us that utility and frivolity in eyeglasses has always existed together. I'm no exception. I make plain eyeglasses plus I've a fondness for depicting an enjoyment of myopia and its attendant foibles.' See more of Brian's work: http://www.fingers.co.nz/exhibitors/brian_adam.htm and please join us for a fun hour nationally recognized metalsmith, jeweler, and teacher.