Collection

A collection of wearable bits and pieces, inspired from the Taxonomic Collection of Stilled Life, original body of work.
Rachel I Reichert (c) 2009

 

Taxonomic Collection of Stilled Life

  As a contemporary jeweler/ silversmith my interest lies in the many historic ideas and objects that shape our contemporary world. As a western society we share a deeply rooted fear of death, animals and nature.  We fear those things will kill us and go to great lengths removing all traces of life or death from our daily experiences.

 The work in the Taxonomic Collection of Stilled Life, explores the similarities between natural history and contemporary fashion. It draws from historic traditions of understanding the natural world, while also drawing from the rich history of western fashion.

The outward appearance of each brooch within the collection makes use of ornament and natural elements to seduce the viewer. An element—raw animal skin, taxidermy or freeze dried animal parts, dead plant life—can be found in each piece. These elements rest upon the wearer’s body, creating an intimate bond between the life of the natural world and our own.

 

S. Silver, Steel, Fabric, Bird wing

 

 

Discomfort Collection

The brooches in the Discomfort Collection explore the use of fur in contemporary fashion. There are two juxtaposing aspects of each brooch.   The outward appearance of each brooch makes use of ornament and fur to seduce the viewer.   The backside of each brooch has a hidden element- raw, dried animal skin. The raw skin of the animal rests against the wearers’ skin to heightened an awareness of the familial bond that we share with animals. These brooches bring to question the detachment consumers may have within the context of adornment and fashion.  The wearer is constantly reminded of the origin of the external fur.

Skin to Skin x 7,( S.Silver, Skin, Fur, Fabric, Steel )

S. Silver, Fur, Skin