Instruments of wonder: MFA Thesis - Metal  

Abstract

This collection of optical instruments allows the audience to imagine their surroundings through a new lens: to hide, to look inward, or to discover. This set of invented tools examine perception and promote exploration. Using eyeglasses as the starting format, I fabricate these objects as a kind of jewelry that have the ability to express identity and the relationship between wearer and viewer. I explore clever mechanisms for wearability to create work that is accessible, playful and truly functional. The precise fitting, movable parts and geometric forms embody an aesthetic that appears at once crisp and concise while also unexpectedly amusing. Found objects are incorporated and referenced in my work to elicit a sense of familiarity and delight while exploring the world through these objects.