Traces of Life

The interior of Gavrinis is characterized by an abundance of engravings on almost all the stone stelae. They are covered by deep, concentrically spreading semi-circular lines, dug into the stone in myriads of punctiform strokes as a living trace. In her experiments, the author took up this principle of repetition and in the process discovered that the signs set in ostinato-like repetition resulted as if by themselves in rhythmized units obeying the laws of ornament. In the transfer to jewellery, the constant repetition became directly visible as an inscription in the material.

Skin

Many stone stelae in the famous Neolithic monument "Newgrange" are carved using the technique of pecking*. The depressions created by many individual blows with a pointed harder stone appear like a skin stretched over the carved stone, lending the vertically standing stones a corporeal-organic impression. In addition, this and similar forms of low relief carving create a delicate and fragile impression.

* The technique of pecking is one of the oldest techniques of stone carving. As in the past, it is still used today to smoothen stones.

Concentration and Expanse

A wandering gaze follows out into the distance, whereas a gaze focused on one’s own location narrows and concentrates the field of vision. The Neolithic barrows at Loughcrew offer such experiences in a variety of ways, and they are also carved on the stone stelae of these sites. In its most basic form, the sign to symbolize concentration and expansiveness consists of a punctiform depression at the centre of a larger circle. The separate representation as in Loughcrew consists of more complex combinations of signs. Expanse is symbolized here by a central point surrounded by concentric circles. Concentration, on the other hand, is symbolized by a closed circle from which radially positioned rays point to the central point.

This summarising show is the result of many visits to the Neolithic sites of Loughcrew. The works shown here are the result of the experience gained during these visits.

Embodiments

Rhombuses and triangles fill the space between densely set spirals or circles as seen on the magnificently carved stone of Newgrange in Ireland. Embodied by this stone, the engravings at the entrance refer to its theme of engravings inside. The secret behind the stone cuboid found at the Ness of Brodgar excavation site in Orkney remains hidden as it could not be recovered in its original context. However, what seems plausible is that it embodies basic experiences of the world view of that time in a compacted and highly abstract way

The jewellery objects shown are also embodiments of the spiral, the triangle, and the square. Defying any form of subordination, these pieces challenge the wearer to repeatedly experience and engage with them anew. As jewellery signs, they are abstraction taken to extremes.