Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University

The Cass Bank Gallery

9-26 January 2017

The Cass, London Metropolitan University presents ‘FlockOmania’, an exhibition created by jewellery artist and Cass alumna Zoe Robertson, on show at the Cass Bank Gallery from 9 to 26 January 2017.

‘FlockOmania’ showcases wearable objects that explore the interrelationship between jewellery and performance, blurring the lines between these two apparently unrelated worlds, and involving sound, film, dance and photography in the process.

Fifteen sculptural jewellery objects meticulously handmade using a mix of traditional craft skills, in combination with industrial processes and new technology, will be on display, creating an unusual setting for a performance-based exploration between objects, the body and the space.

Robertson created ‘FlockOmania’ in response to a collaborative relationship with dance artists Dr Natalie Garrett Brown and Amy Voris. Their background in contemporary dance, movement improvisation and site based performance provided the catalyst for this body of work. The result is theatrically-sized jewellery that emphasises and explores themes relating to the scale and movement of the body. Originally conceived as a solo exhibition in 2015, the exhibition has grown beyond the original concept, evolving into many different forms: an exhibition, installation, mobile performance and into performance lab workshops.

‘FlockOmania’ challenges the traditional display and use of jewellery. The objects break away from static display and are used to create a space referred to by Robertson, Garrett Brown and Voris as ‘a laboratory of making’. In this space dance artists improvise movement and encourage audience participation.

During the exhibition at The Cass, there will be two afternoon dance interventions on 13 and 18 January and a private view finale on 20 January.

Zoe Robertson comments: “I am delighted to be invited to exhibit flockOmania at The Cass, 20 years after my graduation. Reflecting back on my life as a student I realise that the opportunity to development fundamental skills such as design via making, challenging ideas, experimenting and problem-solving have been an essential grounding to help me establish a successful and enjoyable career as a jewellery artist.”

Listing

– ‘FlockOmania’ comes to the Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design, London Metropolitan University

– 9-26 January 2017

– The Cass Bank Gallery, Central House, 59-63 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7PF

– Performance dates: Fri 13 January 2-5pm and Wed 18 January 2-5pm

– Private view finale: Fri 20 Jan 6-8pm

– Nearest tube: Aldgate East

– Twitter: #flockOmania #cassOmania @thecassart @_Zoe_Robertson

ENDS

Press Office

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Downloadable PDF: the_cass_flockomania_press_release