Symposium: Golden Clogs, Dutch Mountains and in Situ October 27, 2007

'Golden Clogs, Dutch Mountains' and 'In Situ,' are two exhibitions that investigate jewelry and personal objects. Divergent approaches to the implied built-in context stimulate thought about the relationship to adornment and the body. Because these explorations use jewelry as a point of departure, there is an assumed function for the work; how these two groups employ this corporeal context illustrates a fundamental difference in cultured perspective. Building on the contemporary Dutch jewelry exhibition, 'Golden Clogs ,Dutch Mountains,' curated by Dutch artist Andrea Wagner, MassArt has organized a "response" to the Dutch tradition. 'In Situ,' featuring five American small metals artists who push the notions of what is jewelry further--from adorning the body towards the realm of enveloping site-specific installation. The combination of these two exhibitions creates a dialogue about the use of materials and the impact of context, in a global art world. Included in the exhibition are precious metals, photography, video/performance, interactive site-specific installation and sculpture.