Who
Gravid Matter was created by Kenneth T Ellsworth in 2006.
Why
There are many artists out there who make fine jewelry from recycled and industrial materials. My interest is in the beauty of the object in its original state – a beauty quite separate from its intended function. Fuses, audio jacks, light bulbs, and the other materials I use all exhibit this. For example, the form and materiality of the light bulb is derived strictly from its function of providing light. In spite of this (or because of it?) I find the incandescent light bulb to be a beautiful object. I’ll even go so far as to call it the perfect symbol of our times.
What
I cross objects that have a strong typology, or identity, of their own with uses that are completely different. The results are absurd or irreverent, but often beautiful. I call this process confounding typologies. A bowl can be a bowl or a flower pot or a monitor stand or lamp shade because its typology is loose enough to allow it. A light bulb is a light bulb – its typology is very specific. It is absurd to make a light bulb into a salt shaker (coming soon!). Earrings made from light bulbs or a bracelet made from fuses make no sense either. I think this makes them beautiful.
Where
Gravid Matter is based in Atlanta, GA. Currently we ship anywhere in the United States.
Copyright Gravid Matter 2007