巧手傳情(下) Affection through fingers (II)

某次個展的剪報. Newspaper clipping for a solo exhibition.

畢業於威尼斯美術學院，現在活躍於義大利金工界並且在著名金工設計專業學校執教鞭的芭芭拉，除了戒指設計師和老師的頭銜以外，也是位實驗藝術家。除了可穿戴的飾物以外，芭芭拉也常拿一些令人意想不到的材料來創作，其中又以巧克力系列和冰飾系列為代表。
Graduated from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia., Barbara is now an active jewelry designer. She also teaches in professional school. However, she’s also an experimental artist. Apart from accessories to be worn, she also uses unusual material to create. The “Bijoux Chocolat” and Ice Snow series (as I called it) are most representative (for me).

可供食用的巧克力系列有項鍊、手環和戒指，供伴侶間浪漫分享之用；第一次看到照片時，溶化在模特兒脖子、手腕和手指上的巧克力，腦中閃過情侶間親暱動作的景象，所以這個系列也被我戲稱為調情聖品。
The eatable Bijoux Chocolat includes necklace, bracelet and ring, which is to be shared between one and his/her loved one. The first time I saw the photos of this series… chocolate melted on neck, wrist and fingers of the model, there’s a flash in my mind the intimate interaction between two lovers. Quite an affectionate and “sexy” series…

至於冰飾系列，則是芭芭拉2005年夏天的最新發表作。用雪和冰塊創作的項鍊，大概也只有炎熱的夏天戴得住！開幕酒會當晚熱鬧非凡，吸引了許多親朋好友和慕名者前來參觀。擺在數張黑色大理石桌子上的一條條雪鍊和冰鍊，和溶化的雪水成了一幅有趣的景象，剛開始大家伙兒還不好意思動手，只敢用指頭碰，很少人拿起來試戴，過了一陣子漸漸聊開了，氣氛被炒了起來，芭芭拉陸續拿出幾條還冰凍著的新項鍊，問我們：「妳們要不要試戴？」一陣瞎起鬨，透心涼的冰鍊就掛到我脖子上，看著玻璃裡映射出自己的影像，煞是好看，只不過，我戴不到一分鐘，就被冷到起了滿臂的雞皮疙瘩，一邊把身上的冰鍊拆了下來，一邊欣賞著另一條逐漸溶化的雪鍊，漸漸露出藏在裡頭的小恐龍，轉了身，芭芭拉正忙著替友人的獵犬戴上雪項圈…在炎熱的夏日夜晚，所有人都玩得不亦樂乎！
As to the Ice Snow series, it’s the latest work and an exhibition was launched in summer 2005. Created from ice and snow, I guess they’re only wearable and enjoyable in summertime. The opening was quite a busy occasion and many friends and enthusiasts were present. Lots of ice chains and snow chains were put on black marble tables. The view was quite fascinating with melted snow and ice. At the beginning we’re afraid to pick them up but dare to touch them with fingertips. Few people had the courage to try them on. After a while when the atmosphere was a bit more “hot”, Barbara brought some more new pieces from the fridge and asked us to try. In a few minutes, an ice necklace was put onto my neck. It looks really nice but honestly I could only bear it for a minute coz it was really freezing cold. In the meanwhile, the little dinosaur that she hided inside an ice block necklace on the table started to show up (coz it’s melting). I took interests to observe it for a while, and when I turned my head Barbara was busy putting another necklace onto a dog of a friend… In the hot summer night, everyone was having much fun!

每次到芭芭拉的家裡，我總是請她把各式各樣的飾品拿出來給我試戴，大方的她，也不吝於讓眾人著手玩弄她的心血結晶。我獨衷於她利用電鑄脫臘等手法製作的銀飾品，因為每一件作品，都是獨一無二的存在，戴出門也免了「撞戒」「撞環」或「撞鍊」的尷尬。我曾經問她，有沒有想過自己開一家店？她表示，不願意為了一些瑣碎無謂的事情浪費時間，寧可把時間拿來創作研究，有意購買者大多在展覽中直接與她接觸，或是在個人網站上觀賞目錄並e-mail與她連絡。看到她對自我理想的投注，我希望有這麼一天，哪家公司慧眼識英雄，願意接下宣傳推廣的工作，芭芭拉就可以無後顧之憂地繼續開發她的新鮮素材。
Every time I go to her place, she’s always generous to bring out all her designs for me to try and enjoy. I especially like her silverwork. All pieces are unique and individual. You won’t find another piece with the same look. I once asked her, “Have you ever thought of opening your own gallery?” She told me that she wouldn’t waste her time on managing issues and trifles. She’d rather spend the time creating. Most people who want to buy or collect her works contact her either on the exhibition or through her web site and e-mail. How I hope that one day that she will find someone to promote her works and have some really great success (which means bring some money into her pocket) so that she can really concentrate on elaborating her creativity.

PS.芭芭拉的個人網站請點這裡。
Click here for Barbara’s web site.