Antal Zilahi - Hungary
Antal Zilahi - Israel Biennale of Contemporary Jewelry Award
Designer biography:
I place a strong emphasis on analyzing the properties of the materials I use in my work, thereby gaining deeper knowledge about them. Once I find harmony with the material, I am able to immerse myself in the creative process. Due to my perfectionism, mistakes were unacceptable to me, but today they are part of my concept. The aesthetics of the controlled and mapped errors during the work with the material help shape my artistic language. The unique effects of damaging the mirrored surface – as an artistic material – are also presented in my objects.
Collection concept:
Is there perfection without imperfection? My brooches challenge perfectionism by integrating the 180-year-old tradition of mirror-making into contemporary jewelry design. Do we allow space for our mistakes and give time for self-reflection? Recognizing and understanding imperfection can open up countless new paths. I intentionally made errors in the mirror-making process, causing them to reflect only a part of the world or even completely absorb it. With these unique silver mirror surfaces, I aim to trigger an inner dialogue about the quality and depth of our observations. My objects let viewers glimpse a corner of the body and surroundings, fostering a more relaxed, intimate relationship between the trinity of object, person, and view.
