This is a blog where 40 artists and jewellery makers from Latin American and Europe carry out a dialogue about global mobility, identities and contemporary jewellery. The dialogue will result in an exhibition to be presented in Mexico City, April 2010.
To know more on this project, read the introductory essay Take a Walk on the Gray Area.
To see the project in action, click on the couple’s names at the right column of the blog to visit the couple’s individual dialogues. Visitors are fee to comment or make questions to the artists and moderator. All topics are open to respectful and responsible discussions.
Being this a global project, we are glad to see that this blog is being widely spread through the world. Please, let others know about us. And do not forget to click on our growing Cluster Map, at the bottom of the couples’ column on the right side of this page. You will be able to see where our visitors come from!
Enjoy!

Eduardo Graue
Hola Peter por aquí otra vez, es fuerte el contraste que tiene tu pieza con el número de Pi
Cuando vi el símbolo del número Pi cerrando la secuencia de cráneos me llevo a pensar en que el número Pi es como un símbolo religioso relacionado con algún martirio tal vez, un mandala cuya geometría provoca un viaje para la meditación. La reflexión de como se comportan estos números es especial. Imagino a su potador meditando en las fracciones que se mueven al infinito cada vez mas pequeñas o, como si cada calavera fuera una raya del principio y el infinito. Es también como la sección áurea. Ideas que abren puertas desde razonamientos a otra lógica sin razón.
Una bonita idea el integrar este número con las calaveras en la circunferencia.
Con el tejido he decidido mejor no ponerle en este caso los coches. Realice algunas pruebas que me gustaron, serán para futuros trabajos, aquí te las muestro.
Me pareció mejor colocar el tejido anterior dentro de este último, dos capas tejidas con tramas distintas y dinámica diferente , ambas concéntricas influyendo en diferentes aspectos al desenvolvimiento y carácter especifico a este objeto, espacio, tubo, tripa
Como bien decías antes los tejidos y la cerámica siempre han estado presentes desde mucho tiempo atrás en todos los pueblos sobre la tierra. Formalmente son demasiado comunes y remiten a un esfuerzo colectivo que elimina las diferencias y homogeneiza, Me parece que por eso han provocando desdén, tedio. En lo personal me gusta apreciar los tejidos por las soluciones estructurales que resuelven a partir de sus elementos muy simples, endebles y básicos, también por su permeabilidad como filtros entre lo de afuera y lo de adentro permitiendo que ambos puedan ser lo mismo
El poner estas dos tramas una dentro de otra con diferentes dinámicas separadas pero sumadas al mismo tiempo, me gusto porque en la conversación que hemos tenido ha sido muy agradable encontrar coincidencias que traemos de épocas pasada en la historia, mas haya de las fronteras en las que hoy hemos vivido, en donde la red que le daba forma a esos lugares y momentos era otra diferente a la de hoy.
Greetings and good luck for all there.
Hello Peter, again here.
Is strong the contrast that made the Pi number with the object.
When I saw the symbol of the number Pi, closing the sequence of skulls, takes me to think that number Pi is like a religious symbol related with martyrdom maybe, a mandala witch geometry cause the trip to meditate. The reflection of how is the behavior of this numbers is especial. I imagine the carrier of this necklace, meditating on the continuous fractions that move to the infinite in a very small place, or every skull is the limit of the beginning and the infinite. Is also like de golden section, ideas that open doors from reasoning to a no reason logic.
Nice idea, this number with the skulls in a circumference
With the weave I decide better not to put in this case the cars, I made some proves that I like, they will be for future works. Here they are.

I think it was better to put the weave done before, inside the space of the last one, two layers weaved with distinct welt and different dynamic, both concentric having influence on many aspects to the development and specific character to this object, space, tube, gut.

As you well said before weaving and ceramics always have been seen a long time ago in every town on earth. They are very common formally and remit to a collective effort that eliminate and uniform differences. I think this is the reason that they provoke disdain, tedium. Personally I like to value the weaves because of there structural solutions that belong from there very simple, frail and basic elements, also because of its permeability, as filters between the outside and the inside, Letting be both the same
To put this two fabrics one inside the other, each one with different dynamic separated but sum up at the same time, likes me, because in the conversation we have is very pleasant find coincidences that we bring from past periods in history, far away from the actual frontiers where we live today, where the net that gives form to that places and moments, was different of the one today.
Saludos y buena suerte para todos por alla
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we suffered a big earthquake last friday night in chile. its a very very gray-black area for a lot chileans.
almost everyone here suffered in some way. damage houses, fear, no light, no water, no communication, their loved ones lost.
soon i will be in touch, thankfully all my friends and family are fine.
Dani Soter
the shape of a thought ...

Heleno Bernardi
Dear Cristina,
finally I think we have our art work!
The mirror, the ocean, your/my reflex, the war, the passion, the sound, the new world, the relationship, the tension… our poetry.
I agree to the title “10:04″. It’s an exactly information, but also emblematic, like the mirroring.
Voilà!!! Chegamos!!!
Bjs,
Heleno.
Cristina Filipe
Dear Heleno
The sound is perfect. The intensity, the tension and the narrative that it describes is absolutely adequate to the context of our site specific.
Your sound it´s watching me. And, through the sound I listen to Your presence. This tangent line, represented by the mirror creates the space between My existence and Your existence.
What it’s strong my presence?… The conscious of My presence through out my reflex on the mirror? Or the military sound from You coming into my direction towards my existence?
In fact that mirror represents that tangent space and the cliché that something really exists behind it or beyond it…the mirror creates exactly that line where you believe you can be safe.
To colonize and to give independency was definitely a tension and warlike moment in the history of Brazil and Portugal. Both moments have created tensions and wounds, always, as you said because there was a lot of passion from the first site…
Hi Eduardo. Finished the multiples yesterday, those went quickly. Began to work on the large collar. First I had to figure out what would be the most practical way to knot, connecting not only the skulls next to each other, but also the ring under/above it. Had to do a similar thing in making cuffs many years ago, so I knew it should be possible. In the outer two rings knotting with two threads, kind of zigzagging with one of them.
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I wanted to work in a spiral this time, so was a bit worried about how it would work out in the area where a next ring should be added. But it worked out fine. No problems with the number of threads or with connections that had to be skipped. Here the third inner ring is developing.
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I am glad I chose to use the colours you sent me, I like the look of it. In one colour would have been less interesting to look at, I think. Well, a few more knots to go. See you at the finish and success with your last steps. Take care, Peter
Carla Castiago
I am so sorry for what´s happen in your country.
Heleno Bernardi
Dear Cristina,
Beyond our changing about mirroring and other possibilities, I’m thinkin about a more delicate relationship between Portugal and Brazil. “Into” the colonizazion and indepence process, a lot of things ocurred and a lot of conflits (wars) too. Naturally, this happen until now. I think the continuous conflits (”stress”) are linked to an emotional/lovely idea: “We only insuflate problems discution with those we love”.
The mirror can access our personal wars: is like the world see us.
Well, the sounds I’m dreaming are something warlike.
Please, listen…
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Hi Eduardo,
A quick return to show you two strands of skulls I just finished knotting. Here I just started one. For the stringing of the skullies I use a knotting tool used in beading pearls. I can direct the knot with it to exactly the right position. This is nice work to do. The results show instantly.
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Knotting goes quickly. Here at the end of the strand. The skulls are the size of large pearls, so it looks quite elegant and bold at the same time. And they’re long: about the same length as a rosary.
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What do you think? Don’t they look like the perfect necklaces for urban high priests?

Dear Eduardo,
Yes, to me working with ceramics is exciting and there are so many things for me to explore there still. Glad those old Chinese inspired us to have our own ceramic industry in the low countries. And I like to organize my work like that little industry you mention. I see some similarity in the organized and well planned way you work. It has been a bit quiet in the WGA part of the factory last week, because I had a deadline for some other works. That has been finished now and I can continue with the last part of my jewellery for WGA. Which will be knotting all elements in place to form the necklaces.
I like the new photos you sent of your weaved tube. I like the connection with the weaved fabric. Also I think your decision not to have the rhythm of the weaved wires interrupted by elements put on the tube is a good one. What keeps me curious about your next steps. And very right: it is a kind of magic, many of our creative processes just are irrational. And about your remark to make photos of the in between steps is a very good way to store moments where you had to make a decision to go this way or to go that way. I do the same. These moments are stored till there is time and space to work on something new and to start following that other path you had to leave in favour of that other direction. But that’s also worth exploring. Making digital photos is perfect for that, a method I use too.
I am glad the boring part of applying the decals has been done and now the real fun part starts here. So no more hearts out of guts like a week ago . Now the pieces of jewellery will really start to come into existence in this last phase after all the different steps of preparation.
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Here still some photos of a week ago.
All heads on their stakes had to get their final decal firing in two go’s.
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Here I am sawing large Pi symbols out of alpaca. I want them as pendants on the little skulls string as an urban bling bling element out of the world of science. Forgot to take pictures of that, but I have gilded them also.
Will keep you posted about the last steps these days. And looking forward seeing your final steps.
Success and best wishes, Peter
Francisca Kweitel

una más feliz, en la larga lista de alegría y felicitaciones. he disfrutado mucho el intercambio universal!
me saco el sombrero por las organizadoras porque puedo imaginar lo que puede ser todo este caos, pero la recompensa final es tan enorme que supera todo sufrimiento en el camino. realmente creo que lograron armar un intercambio y nos hicieron ver y participar de la hermosa gente que esta del otro lado del mundo, sintiendo, pensando o experimentando cosas con las cuales por alguna razón, nos identificamos o nos asombran con nuevas sensaciones…
en fin, suficiente sentimentalismo… espero verlos en méxico! GRACIAS A TODOS!
fran
 Anatomy of Thought on André Sousa, 2010
Ketli Tiitsar

I am finished too. Took new photos tonight(the one here is just for you). Tomorrow morning, first thing to the post office.
I like you finished work very much! I shall write more soon.
With love from awfully snowy Tallinn,
Ketli
Hey Agnieszka!
I was looking at your pictures and I love all the textures you have, either physical or visual. Your last picture reflects visual texture along with thee gray shades…it is quite interesting. I have been working on our collaborative piece, and I’ ve also been thinking a lot about the idea of the grass is not greener on the other side…. there are so many perspectives to it. I’m creating a hair accessory made with silver, nature elements and wire, trying to create harmony between each materials connotation and at the same time express my green thoughts. The position of the piece as it lays on the head gives more power and reference to the piece as well….
These are some pictures:
 
Chequita Nahar
ketli, here it is
Dear Andrea and Valeria, I am very thankful for your invitation for which I made 5 works entitled Anatomy of Thought as a result of my enthusiasm for this project. I congratulate you for the great work you’re doing and which I believe will conclude in a great success.
Congratulations to my colleagues, with my special thanks to Dani and Francisca with whom I had the pleasure to exchange some messages. To José Springer and to my partner Miguel with whom I’ve enjoyed sharing some thoughts.
In the image you can see one brooch from the series. This is the first image of my finished work I post in the blog and is dedicated to all of you.
With love, Leonor
 Anatomy of thought on Martin Kullik, 2010
Chequita Nahar
Dear Ketli,
Yes life always presents things at times we cannot use them or so we think. I liked that we both had the idea to work with wood. And also that you were thinking of not making the pendants look heavy as I did. I thought I was ready, but as I looked at the work while making pictures for the cataloque I decided to change it and made it look more heavy.
I hope your daughter is feeling better and you will find the time to finish the piece. Although it was not always easy I really liked the rhythm we got into and hope we will continue after this will end. Unfortunately I am not able to go to Mexico anymore. but hope we will meet soon somewhere else.
Thank you




hey natalie!
how are you going?
we like your piece very much… interesting concepts and it is really beautifull. we will comment it a bit more later by mail.
we got the piece “Mestizo: por unas pocas monedas” (mestizo: just for few coins) done. I think a lots is a consecuence of our conversation, wich I really love. lot of doors have been opened and learning process have beeing so fruitfull.
i put a in-process pic also.
we haven´t got time to answerd your post, but some of your questions are answered on both the on the piece work and text sent to your mail.
looking forwardisimo to meet you personally.
warm hugs and thanks a lot for this experience!!!!
claudia and nano
Dear Dani,
I’m very, very sorry to hear about your close friend having passed away. It is sad to hear that you are the second artist to have experienced such a sad loss during the course of the project. This fresh feeling of pain, regret, and emptiness after someone dear has been ripped out of our life is pretty much a gray area too. Not just regarding its heaviness and lack of joy – but it feels in some strange way like the first part of a new stage. It’s hard to put into words, but for me it tends to feel like a personal retrospect of things too – what have I done with my life, what is important in my life, what trace will I have left behind with others when I am no more, where am I not living myself…. and so on. Such times have made me more clearly aware of how precious life is and how short it can possibly be. T0 me that feels like a final gift from the person who has died and is like a very clear shaking awake of my possibly slumbersome stumbling through the unimportancies of my life. Life becomes ‘normal’ again, but first there is that gray area to transverse.
Thank you for your lovely words, and we are glad that you have been so happy with your partner Sebastian. That had already become quite evident from your active blogging and was fun to see. Thank you for your enthusiastic participation!
Warmly,
Andrea
Dani Soter

Dear Sebastian,
Thank you for this partnership in this project. Everything you said inspired me . I think we know each other a lot and we have a real complicity, even if we never have seen or know each other very much.
*I dedicate this work to my beautiful friend Astrid, who died this week.
Kiss,
Dani 
Dani Soter
Dear Andrea, dear Valeria,
Excuse my long silence these last days. I have gone through a difficult and painful because of the loss of a dear friend.
However, I want to thank you for this wonderful opportunity you gave me inviting me to participate in this fantastic project. I loved my partner, Sebastian. A true artist, intelligent and sensitive.
You are the best!!!
Congratulations!
Un grande beso,
Dani 
Ketli Tiitsar

Dear Chequita,
I am sorry for the little break again, we established such a good rhythm, but my daughter got sick and last days have been really hard.
Your images show similarity in our thinking for me. It is really interesting to follow how from quite different points of view we have developed some kind of common ground for our current work. I like your little talisman bags, they resemble tea bags a little bit, with their transparency. All tea are made from the same species of plant, from the same leaves. I find it very captivating that one plant gives so many different tastes. Tea is my favorite beverage.
And the way you have attached the little symbols to wooden details is very poetic, I like the dynamic and natural order with strings. I am just amazed how similar way we work. First I also tried to hang my drops exactly the same way with string you did. But my strings got so badly messy that it took me long time to solve the order.
About my work. This is the photo I plan to send for the catalogue. With the search of symbol for my work I chose different types of wood, mostly from Estonia. I find them bearing strong narratives within their texture. Drop is like vertical distance reaching deepness. Act of falling, loosing, gaining. First I saw all these drops in one piece, like a heavy burden. Now I started to doubt in this heaviness. Set of separate pins would be perhaps better solution. My hands are tied, I know there is absolutely no time left, and my baby is sick but… Tomorrow the only chance, to fix this as I want to post the work on Thursday morning. I certainly will try. I will show you the result.
As soon you feel you are reaching something, things change and new perspectives appear. With making jewellery isn’t it always so?
Are you planning to attend the conference in Mexico City?
Talk to you soon,
K
Francisca Kweitel


Casa-cuerpo.
Cazando palabras.
Capas. Mapas. Entrever. Descubrir. Recopilar. Caminos. Encuentros. Intercambio. Puentes. Conexión. Respirar. Blanco. Silencio.
Parte de mi. Yo y mi otro yo.
Cambiar la piel. Vos y yo.
Las cosas que llevo conmigo a cada sitio están dentro y se ven reflejadas en el mapa del cuerpo que se dibuja con la misma realidad.
Pieza. Broche doble. Bronce oxidado, cuero crudo cosido y grabado, plata. Bronce oxidado, papel y tela grabada, plata.

Hi andrea: this is a fragment of the final piece. Today I will put it in a box to send it. i dont think the proyect it’s over…let’s see what happend now…maybe the gray area turns to something more colorful!
Hi Maria,
nice to see your work! it look interesting.
I show you some pictures of my process. I had “The grass is not greener…” in my mind and tried to express its complexity. This saying is so banal and simple and in fact for you and me it is not greener but for so many others people in the world it really is. I could not get rid of that thought. I was thinking also about demarcations lines, before and after. When something starts and when it stops ? I wanted to make a piece with different layers, colors and expression. The first one “green” turned out to “pretty”.






I decided to work with the last picture.
Greetings
Agnieszka
Carla Castiago

WE ARE THE MIRROR WITHOUT THE FACE ON IT…
Carla Castiago

“What meaning does your construction have?”
The streets are completely filled with soil.”
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