Look Up, Breathe and YOU ARE HERE Mokumé Gané ring series by Jewelry and Metalsmith Artist, Fran Linden
Why YOU ARE HERE?
The words Mokumé Gané in Japanese translate as wood grain metal. Mokumé Gané is a process of laminating sheets of metal then carving and forging that laminate to produce patterns that often resemble wood grain.
Creating the Look Up, Breathe and YOU ARE HERE Mokumé Gané ring series, using this traditional Japanese process, was a time-consuming process. Layers of sterling silver and copper were forged to create a sheet of metal. From this forged sheet, I chose to form a series of three rings.
At a time when I needed to pause ... breathe ... and reflect on what is important in life, I started to think what I’d like to communicate to my fellow human. Each ring serves a purpose for the wearer. The patina, over time, should change the ring as the wearer wears it. It should get darker or marred from being worn-not intended to be shiny but worn in spots as the wearer “looks up, breathes and is reminded that they are here”.
The Look Up Mokumé Gané ring is meant to encourage a wearer to look through the tube on the top of the ring. To do so ... one must raise the hand and look up through the hole. Pausing to look up reminds us that we are to embrace this moment.
The Breathe Mokumé Gané ring is meant to encourage a wearer to stop and breathe. The hinged lid holds a fragrance of a wearer’s choice: I chose lavender buds. Small flowers buds or coffee beans or a wool felt soaked with any essence oil will aid to serve as a reminder to the wearer to breathe-to take in the moment.
The YOU ARE HERE Mokumé Gané ring is meant to encourage a wearer with the words “YOU ARE HERE” etched into the acrylic button. This reminding the wearer that they are here-now-and to embrace this moment!
It is possible, even in the darkest of times, to seek silver linings. When we take the time to stop and reflect, we will find a silver lining … or two! We, then can be grateful for the gift of today. We can be reminded that we are here now – embracing the moment. As part of this message, I created, and gave for free, colorful translucent acrylic rings etched with the words: YOU ARE HERE. I asked that the wearer share on social media, with the hashtag #youareherering, their “in-the-moment” (family-friendly) picture wearing the ring. May we all look up, breathe and remember that we are here!
Look Up Mokumé Gané ring by Jewelry and Metalsmith Artist, Fran Linden
Breathe Mokumé Gané ring by Jewelry and Metalsmith Artist, Fran Linden
YOU ARE HERE Mokumé Gané ring by Jewelry and Metalsmith Artist, Fran Linden
Look Up, Breathe, YOU ARE HERE Mokumé Gané ring series and YOU ARE HERE Map Marker Acrylic rings by Jewelry and Metalsmith Artist, Fran Linden