New contemporary MOME jewellery at the National Museum’s Shine! – The Era of Jewellery exhibition

On the Boundary Lines, a selection of contemporary jewellery created by current and former students of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design is now on display in six dedicated cases in the Dome Hall of the Hungarian National Museum. These pieces form part of the newly opened Shine! – The Era of Jewellery exhibition, which spans from prehistoric times to the present day. Alongside historical artefacts, the MOME works highlight the diversity and innovation of contemporary jewellery design. The selection features themes central to MOME’s design philosophy, including nature, space, the body, memory, and imagination.

This pop-up exhibition marks the first step in the collaboration between MOME and the Hungarian National Museum and aims to showcase the work of the youngest generation of jewellery designers and educators, as well as the themes that inspire their works.

Curator and head of the Designer-Maker MA programme at MOME Flóra Vági explained that the exhibition was inspired by the shared goals of the two institutions. These include attracting younger audiences by presenting topics that resonate with them, expanding the museum’s visitor base, and engaging with those interested in the field, including prospective MOME students.

“The six sections of the exhibition – Fragile Nature, Hidden Layers, Body and Space, Reflections, Memory, and Imagination – not only explore new dimensions in jewellery design and the relationship between humans and nature but also follow the structure of the historical exhibition, creating many points of resonance,” shared Flóra Vági regarding the exhibition’s concept.

Recycled and sustainable materials, along with inspirations drawn from the past and the natural world, play a central role in the works displayed here. At the same time, these pieces offer unparalleled examples of how traditional techniques can be reinterpreted in a contemporary context. The designs of these young talents and their instructors provide insight into the cultural and artistic influences that elevate jewellery-making into a multidisciplinary art form.

Fruzsi Fekete’s Mushrooms Are Never Lonely series draws inspiration from the natural phenomenon of fairy rings and the symbolism of femininity. Her Greenery collection,featuring brooches inspired by greenhouse structures, explores the delicate balance between natural and artificial elements.

Fanni Nagy captures the fleeting beauty of transience by combining dried flowers and crystals in her designs, reflecting on life’s fragility and constant evolution.

Fruzsina Zalavári experiments with layering and distorting pigmented porcelain, creating rhythmic, undulating patterns that reflect the dynamics of movement.

Veronika Fazekas’ Lamella series redefines the concept of jewellery setting by focusing on the interplay between visibility and concealment. Using optical effects reminiscent of moiré patterns, the embedded forms in her jewellery become visible only from certain perspectives.

Szilvia Rémiás designed a bracelet made from spring steel and silicone to deliver an unexpected sensory experience. At first glance, the piece appears as a simple block, but when bent or struck against the wrist, it transforms into a bracelet, surprising and delighting the wearer.

Flóra Vági’s jewellery with organic forms evoking natural motifs are made from unconventional materials such as wood and paper.

Nóra Tengely’s Nest brooch symbolises care, nurturing, and protection, reflecting on the role of the nest as a source of comfort. Her Emerald Cut brooch switches conventional jewellery components, while her Am I a Gem? brooch series includes five identical pieces, each showcasing a distinct stone-setting technique.

Sára Szeredi’s material research reintroduces a forgotten ancient Egyptian technique traditionally used for crafting beads, amulets, and small sculptures, culminating in her velociraptor-shaped brooch, made from Egyptian paste.

Luca Sági’s H2O jewellery collection includes a steel brooch that reflects on the global water crisis with a design vividly illustrating the effects of acid rain, as the structure gradually weakens and ultimately disintegrates.

Krisztián Ádám presents an array of rings, including a piece crafted from titanium and rock crystal. One of these, Phantom, features a striking phantom quartz point held securely in place. The design ensures that the crystal's internal growth layers – known as “phantoms” – remain clearly visible, highlighting their unique structure.

The pop-up exhibition is now part of the Hungarian National Museum’s showcase, providing an opportunity to explore historical jewellery alongside the contemporary perspectives of MOME’s designers.

Coverage of the opening by Agenda can be viewed at the following link: https://mediaklikk.hu/agenda/video/2024/12/17/agenda-2024-december-17

More information: https://mnm.hu/hu/kiallitasok/idoszaki/ragyogj-ekszerek-ideje

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