I would like to share with you my works for "Myths - Test Drive" and the concept behind them. As the project looked at challenging how we interact with and purchase jewellery, I knew I wanted to explore that aspect further.
The idea behind the works is linked to The Judgement of Paris. Taking the idea of "Kallisti" and what it means in a modern day setting. To be the fairest, is to be the kindest and "fairest" should really pertain to being a good person rather than just having a good appearance. The brooches are offered as medals to deserving suitors. Customers are invited to earn them by doing something for others, rather than a traditional money transaction.
The Judgement of Paris
Having been excluded from the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, the offended Goddess Eris, plotted her revenge. She threw down a golden apple inscribed with the words 'to the fairest', knowing that this would cause unrest between the other goddesses. Aphrodite, Hera and Athena asked Zeus to decide to whom the apple belonged. Who was the fairest? Zeus did not want to cause any more discord. He knew that choosing one of the goddesses he would result in the other two feeling hurt and angry. Instead he decided that the mortal Paris should decide for them.
All three goddesses appeared before Paris. Each goddesses promised Paris different incentives and prizes if he chose them. Aphrodite promised him the most beautiful woman in the world. This woman was Helen, the wife of King Menelaus of Sparta. Aphrodite made Helen fall in love with Paris. The lovers ran away together. Menelaus called together his allies in Greece. They set off to recapture Helen. The resulting war lasted for ten years.
The three medals use the text in it's original Greek, German - the language of the exhibition and English - the language of the maker.
"To the fairest"
"Kallisti"
"Auf die Fairste"
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