Deganit Stern-Schoken, Tehila Levy-Hyndman, Kobi Roth, três elementos do Grupo Inyanim, estiveram recentemente em Portugal para inaugurar, no passado dia 2 de Maio, a exposição Throught Sources | Por entre as Fontes, que estará patente até ao dia 14 de Junho no Camões Instituto da Língua e Cooperação, em Lisboa.

A PIN aproveitou a presença destes três artistas, em Lisboa, para conversar sobre  a história do Grupo Inyanim, os seus objectivos e os aspectos que mais o caracterizam.

A Umbigo Magazine em colaboração com a PIN publica um excerto dessa  conversa. Se desejar poderá aceder à conversa na íntegra no sítio da PIN.

O Grupo Inyanim é composto por: Vered Babai, Shirly Bar-Amotz, Rory Hooper, Aviv Kinnel, Gregory Larin, Tehila Levi-Hyndman, Michal Oren, Kobi Roth, Dana Seachuga, Deganit Stern-Schocken e Edda Vardimon-Gudnason.

PIN - What does Inyanim mean?

Deganit – Inyanim is a Hebrew word that means affairs, issues. For us, this name means that we are dealing with things that are happening to other people, to us. We want our work to refer to actual problems, like political and social issues, and to take this medium of making jewelry further, beyond decoration, to give it some content.

PIN – “No Problem?” “Through Sources?” - What do they mean? Are they a starting point for reflexion to create new pieces or are they a consequence of the work you decide to present?

Tehila – Kobi and I brought “Through Sources" because we decided that, for this exhibition at Camões, each artist will select his/her pieces... This title means that each artist brings his/her essence of the work that they feel represents them now... their origin.

Deganit – “No Problem?” I think this title is a kind of paradox. When you say: “No Problem!” you mean everything is fine. But when you put a question mark...which we did...it means: “Really? No problem?” Everything is a big problem...! So again when you ask if we start with a name, we do not start with a name... we have this idea of dealing with deeper issues rather than just making nice jewelry...

Kobi Roth, 2013, Medal, prata, old printing block.

PIN – What distinguishes the Inyanim Group from the rest of the contemporary jewellery art field in general?

Deganit – I have seen so many jewelry exhibitions around the world, and when I see “Through Sources” exhibition at Camões I see it is different... it is not all just beautiful. You don´t go “wow, so nice”, like you say at a Lalique show for instance ...It doesn´t come from that angle at all... I feel that there are also works that are harsh, that are more interesting than beautiful. There is a kind of a brave and provocative approach.

PIN – Who are your references that inspire you? Who are your “heroes”? Maybe you have different ones? Maybe from literature, fine arts, politics?

Tehila – I like Frida Kalo and Doris Salcedo, Christian Boltanski and Ilan Koren, a good friend of mine…but not a specific jewellery artist…

Deganit – I am more connected to literature, I think. Kafka for me is a reference. Absolutely. Paul Celan that I quoted in some of the pieces…and Agnon, the Nobel Prize laureate for literature, they are also relevant references.

Kobi – Sometimes it is text, sometimes a work of art. In my recent works I referred to Jasper Jones, but mainly for something that he said which was for me very important.

Tehila Levi Hyndman, 2012, "Subala" (Matérias orgânicas e osso)

PIN – What do you think about contemporary jewellery?

Kobi – There is a lot of discussion about it!

Deganit – I feel that what I see in Europe is mainly an overuse of new materials… materials are the subject, and for me, nice objects with extraordinary, exquisite workmanship and materials are not enough, something is missing. All these amazing objects mean very little to me, I must say. I am fed up with it! I see it at Schmuck and all over. Jewelry can and should express also ideas.

Kobi – Lots of interesting guys, lots of ideas…mainly concerned with the materials and the way it looks... …and it is getting more and more so…maybe because of the internet…you see more galleries, more sites…everybody puts a portfolio on the website and you see so much contemporary jewelry…

PIN – What are the common points among the Inyanim artists and what are the contrasts? What are the similarities?

Deganit – The language of expression, generally speaking, is something we have in common. There is also a strong sense of collaboration. One needs a strong will in order to be part of a group, especially for people who are individualists! Even if the group does not meet often enough, it is something that you belong to. On the other hand, it can create problems. It brings in ego issues, which reflect on all aspects of the work ...Being part of a group is like being in a marriage, you are dealing with a commitment, a common goal. You have to be able to make concessions. I am sure people have mixed feelings about it; sometimes they want to be there, sometimes they don’t.

"Through Sources – Por entre as fontes" > até 14 Junho 2013 das 9h às 13h e das 14h às 18h
Joalharia Contemporânea de Israel · INYANIM GROUP
Camões – Instituto da Cooperação e da Língua
Av. Liberdade, 270 • 1250-149 Portugal