Geometrical Plastic Jewelry

26 Jul 2006 Category: Events & Exhibitions, Fashion, Features, Japan, Worldwide

Geometrical Plastic Jewelry

bag designed by a German Jewelry designer, Svenja John

Tokyo is bursting-full of shops and in case you have never been here let me tell you that there are even more shops, than you might consider possible! Even though entire shops often change over night due to current trends, there still seem to be some places remaining, which trust their instincts to select artists and products according to their originality. I stumbled across Deux Poissons, a tiny gallery in the residencial area of Ebisu, which currently introduces a stunningly beautiful collection of jewelry and bags by German jewelry designer Svenja John. Her geometrical pieces remind me of cast puzzles out of high-quality polycarbonate. Definitely something different!

Written by Chiemi


earrings designed by Svenja John

brooch designed by Svenja John

Gallery Deux Poissons opened in May 2003 and since then deals only with contemporary jewelry. They strongly believe, that jewelry should not be chosen by brand names or exclusive materials, but rather by a free approach, a new idea and unique beauty. In case you are also fascinated by jewelry here is some good news: Deux Poissons curate 6 different exhibitions every year besides having a great range of jewelry in their permanent collection.

bag designed by Svenja John

bracelet designed by Svenja John

earrings designed by Svenja John

Most jewelry designers introduced in this gallery in Ebisu are either Dutch or German. When I asked why, I was told, that both countries support this crafty design genre which leads to very high skills paired with a good sense of fashion. Svenja John was also born in Germany, studied archaeology at the Ruhr University, Bochum, then switched over to being a goldsmith and finally did her MA in jewelry design in Hanau.

pendant designed by Svenja John

In case you are wondering about the archaeology in her CV - that might explain, why some of her designs look like structures of flowers with impressive spikes or floral heads edged with color.


flower like brooch designed by Svenja John

brooch designed by Svenja John. Looks like a fragile tulip to me

Svenja John is quite a perfectionist when it comes to her jewelry design. She uses transparent polycarbonate, cuts pieces out, paints them and then arranges the pieces like a hellishly difficult 3D puzzle. Little pieces piercing bigger pieces, hooks and loops creating those stunning esthetics.

brooch designed by Svenja John. The one on the right looks very complicated…

Svenja’s pieces can be found in various public collections such as the American Crafts Museum, New York, the Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin and the Hiko Mizuno Collection, Tokyo. In case you are in town, you might want to secure one or two of her pieces for your private collection…


bracelet designed by Svenja John

brooch designed by Svenja John

Jewelry is not something to show your status, but your character and intelligence. is what Mr. Mori from Deux Poissons quoted at the end. Nice one!

pendant designed by Svenja John

Svenja John’s beautiful contemporary jewelry made me realize that ‘a precious stone’ can be far less sparkling than a good idea.

15 Comments

  1. Nice!!
    I wonder if there is something for men.

    Posted by: puri on July 26th, 2006 at 11:10 pm

  2. ooooh - I like it!

    Posted by: henry on July 27th, 2006 at 11:49 am

  3. [...] Im PingMag ist ein Beitrag mit dem Titel Geometrical Plastic Jewelry. Es geht um Schmuck der aus Plastikteilen gefertigt ist. Hierbei ist allerdings nicht die Rede von den Bausätzen aus dem Spielzeugladen, sondern von echten Kunstwerken diverser Designer. Sehr sehenswert. [...]

    Posted by: TechNovelty » Geometrical Plastic Jewelry on July 27th, 2006 at 5:24 pm

  4. A creative & different approach by Svenja John.
    Im loving these contemporary jewelry.

    Posted by: Paavani on July 27th, 2006 at 7:38 pm

  5. very very nice!

    Posted by: ana on July 27th, 2006 at 8:49 pm

  6. now i know jewellery means not only gemstones ^^ it’s so cool!

    Posted by: peggy on July 28th, 2006 at 11:42 pm

  7. As a maker (and devotee) of plastic jewellery I appreciate this article.

    Posted by: Liana Kabel on July 29th, 2006 at 5:40 am

  8. I love it, love it, love it!

    Posted by: Florence Forrest on July 30th, 2006 at 11:24 pm

  9. Plastic designed jewelry is to classic jewelry what rock and rool is to classic music. We need a revolution in that domain. Who cares about diamond and gold really?

    Posted by: Mister Crunch on August 7th, 2006 at 8:06 am

  10. Similar state of jewellery designs are now booming on internet.One such site called http://www.ijdmonline.com displays magazine of wonderful designs which are in stores of big brands of the world.

    Posted by: Amy Anderson on August 23rd, 2006 at 3:20 pm

  11. I like the bags most

    Posted by: ヤーッコ on August 23rd, 2006 at 5:40 pm

  12. I love her work!
    When I found her products in the gallery of Deux Poissons. It was fantastic to wear it.

    Posted by: yoko on November 29th, 2006 at 7:37 am

  13. Hi
    We are haveing a contemporary Jewellery conference in Adelaide South Australia in January 2008 and are looking for people interested in exhibiting and also attending the conference.
    Are you interested and do you know others who are also interested.

    Please be in contact.
    My email address is amyamirah@excite.com

    Posted by: Amy on April 13th, 2007 at 1:47 pm

  14. hey your jewellery is amazing! i love it, i agree with your statement about jewellery not being a sign of status but about your character and intelligance! i would love to do work experience with sevnja johns? how can i get in contact? x x

    Posted by: saskia shankland on May 18th, 2007 at 9:47 am

  15. Great designs! love it, inspired!

    Posted by: ssim on October 29th, 2007 at 12:42 am

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