workshop 1:
NOW EMU
with Ruudt Peters
- where: Sydney College of the Arts, Rozelle & Taronga Zoo
- when: 21 to 25 January 2006, five days (pre-conference)
- cost: $525 - students $450
Nature and animals are constantly present in NOW EMU, but as the title may already indicate, not in a romantic manner. The national bird of Australia, the EMU, is the thread running through the workshop whereby nature versus personality is questioned. To what extent can Australians relate to the EMU? What does the EMU tell about their identities? And how do you relate to such a strange bird as an EMU? Without even considering what kind of jewellery you could make for an EMU ...
We will enjoy the beauty of EMU by visiting the zoo and its environment. We will then consider and formulate our own positions, and translate this into our work. NOW EMU is about taking another look at our contemporary experience of nature and making a statement about how one can relate to nature NOW. Artists and students are stimulated to produce work around this idea. In doing so, it is important that not only rational reflection, but also the subconscious enters into the work process. Ultimately, jewellery remains a frame of reference.
The course is based on the concept of step-by-step education, in which the end product is not the most essential consideration. “The goal is the means and the means is the goal” (M Gandhi). The emphasis lies on personal guidance and development. Students will gain the tools to proceed further in this process for themselves. By means of direct action, participants will learn to take the necessary steps.
Ruudt Peters is presenting the keynote address at the conference and his survey exhibition CHANGE will be held at Sydney College of the Arts. He is currently Professor in the jewellery studio at the Konstfack in Stockholm and for several years headed the jewellery department at the Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. In 2000 he was awarded the prestigious international Francoise van den Bosch Award for recognition of his practice.
Examples of Ruudt's work can be seen at www.ruudtpeters.nl
