Art for tweedisgood : Treasure

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

Title: Treasure

Recipient: tweedisgood

Artist: [redacted]

Rating: G

Summary: Holmes is the gem, Watson is the setting.






Artist's Notes: I was struck, when going over the early canon, that Watson's initial motive for chronicling Holmes' exploits was in order to give Holmes the credit he deserved, and that Holmes, in his turn, didn't really understand why Watson was being so (overly) dramatic in his retellings. That was when I realized: Holmes is the gem, and Watson is the setting in which the gem is displayed.

So, how does this 3D art (which happens to be jewellery) display that? The foundation of the pendant is a blue dodecahedron; this symbolizes Holmes in his amazing perception (pentagons representing the five senses), of his search for truth (blue for truth), of his comprehension of the big picture (twelve sides, twelve representing the whole world) and his cold scientific nature (a Platonic solid).
But the dodecahedron is enclosed by gold filigree and wire, and embellished with spirals. This is Watson, being warm and emotional (gold) and prone to dramatic embellishments and atmospheric storytelling (the filigree, wire, spirals). (Also the filigree hopefully evokes quirky Victoriana)

The cord of the necklace likewise follows this theme, with the inside of the cord being smooth blue twisted cord (for Holmes) and is completely enclosed by gold chainmaille (for Watson).

Technical Notes: (for those interested in the details)
The pendant is made of laser-cut blue glittery acrylic pentagons glued together into a dodecahedron, then embellished with gold-plated brass filigree and wire. The glue used was black hot glue (and I had to scrape the edges of the dodecahedron with a razor blade in order to scrape off the excess, that wasn't fun). The pendant measures 5cm from corner to corner, and 4cm from side to side.

The necklace cord is made from twisted cord (blue polyester cord and blue spool-knit metallic thread) and chainmaille.
Chainmaille Weave: Inverted Round. Rings: gold-plated brass, WD=0.8mm, ID=4.4mm, OD=6mm, AR=5.5; half the rings are soldered shut for strength.

Comments

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

What an amazing, and beautiful, interpretation.

[kerravonsen]

Thank you.

[rachelindeed.livejournal.com]

Wow! So creative and insightful, both in the foundational metaphor you've chosen to represent these men's relationship, and in all the details that bring it to life. To me, Watson's chainmaille subtly suggests both his soldier/warrior history and his chivalrous character. And I think the pentagons were a particularly appropriate choice to symbolize Holmes, because in addition to the dimensions you have already discussed, the interlocking pentagons also bring to mind the honeycomb of a beehive, which is what Holmes chose to occupy his mind in retirement and which represents himself and his natural intellect in his old age.

Lovely, lovely piece! Thank you for sharing your talent and imagination!

[amaraal.livejournal.com]

A honeycomb is a hexagon not a pentagon :) Just saying.

[rachelindeed.livejournal.com]

Ha ha! Thank you, I stand corrected :)

[kerravonsen]

Yeah, it would have been nice if hexagons and pentagons were the same, because, yes, added symbolism of bees would have been good. 8-)

[kerravonsen]

To me, Watson's chainmaille subtly suggests both his soldier/warrior history and his chivalrous character.

Oooh, yes, that too. Thank you for pointing that out.

[jcporter1.livejournal.com]

I agree, especially with the embellishments in the gold.

[kerravonsen]

(grin) Yes.
Thank you.

[saki101.livejournal.com]

This is beautiful and the explanation of the symbolism makes it even more so. A great thing about clothing and jewellery is that they are art forms one can wear and enjoy more than only visually. Is the necklace heavy?

[kerravonsen]

\o/
No, it isn't that heavy. The pendant is hollow, so it looks heavier than it is. I mean, it's a hefty necklace, but it isn't uncomfortable to wear.

[amaraal.livejournal.com]

It's an eye catcher, no doubt... *stares in awe* Blue and gold is always a good choice not to mention the interpretation of the Holmes/Watson relationship. Well done!!!

[kerravonsen]

Thank you.
Yes, blue + gold is very classic.

[tripleransom.livejournal.com]

What a creative and insightful interpretation of the theme of Holmes's and Watson's friendship. I love the symbolism of the blue for loyalty and trust with the chain maille evoking Watson's military service twining around it.

[kerravonsen]

Thank you. I thought about it a lot before I came up with the final idea.

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

Sorry, later to comment than I meant to be, having queued the post in advance.

THANK YOU for this beautiful piece of craftwork - and spectacular interpretation of Holmes and Watson's relationship. I don't know if you were aware, but there's a passage in one of my stories, The Half-Buried Cup, which deals with just this theme:-) so it resonates strongly with me.

[kerravonsen]

I am so glad you like it!
I was a bit worried that I wasn't dealing with your preferred era (retirement Holmes) but I was also reassured by your remark that "If you have an idea I don't want to squash it." Because this idea seized me strongly.

I don't know if you were aware, but there's a passage in one of my stories, The Half-Buried Cup, which deals with just this theme:-) so it resonates strongly with me.

Wow, no I didn't know. \o/

[shadowycat.livejournal.com]

What a fascinating idea, beautifully executed! The pendant and chain are stunning as is, knowing what thought and meaning went into them makes them even more wonderful. :D

[kerravonsen]

Thank you! I spent a lot of time pondering ideas before I came up with the final design. I always try to make something that is both meaningful and beautiful with my symbolic jewellery.

[hiddenlacuna.livejournal.com]

This is SO GORGEOUS! I wouldn't have even thought to ever do something concrete for an exchange like this, beyond maybe a drawing if I could draw, but ... jewellery! Mind blown. You're magic, nonny!!

I love the electric blue cabling inside the gold of the chain. The filigree and spirals add airiness and joy without being overpowering. I adore the symbolism and the thought that clearly went into this, and the workmanship is just stellar, and the delicacy and the balance of the piece, and ... gosh, just everything. WOW.

[kerravonsen]

Thank you! Wow.

I got into making symbolic fannish jewellery a few years ago, participating in the sshg_exchange, which encouraged craft and art as well as fic; the fest was amazing in the creative craft people did for it (I remember one time someone did cake decorating!) so it really helped me stretch myself.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

*jaw drop*
This is astounding!
Wow!

[kerravonsen]

Thank you!
(hands jaw back to capt_facepalm)

[gardnerhill.livejournal.com]

What a gorgeous, unique piece of fanart! A nice way to declare one's fannish beliefs even in a church...

[kerravonsen]

Stealth fannishness! 8-)

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Nobody expects the fannish exhibition!

[hardboiledbaby]

Oh, lookit the shiny! :D Wearable fanart, and a gorgeous one at that. Beautiful work, anon!

[kerravonsen]

Thank you!
Wearable fanart is fun!

[scfrankles.livejournal.com]

Such an inspired idea. I love that, not only does the gold show off the blue to its best advantage, it holds and protects the blue too. A wonderful representation of a wonderful partnership.

[kerravonsen]

(nod nod nod) Protectiveness is in there too.
Thank you.

[colebaltblue.livejournal.com]

This is amazing. What an incredible interpretation. And so unique to fandom to create 3D art. Very inspiring!

[kerravonsen]

Thank you!

I cannot take credit for the idea of 3D fannish art; I first came across it in the sshg_exchange, which inspired me to try it for myself when I participated in the last few years of its run. I wanted a break from Harry Potter art, though, so when marta_bee suggested the acd_holmesfest I jumped at the challenge.

[fictionforlife.livejournal.com]

Your uncommon medium amazes me, the artwork is very detailed and well-thought-out. Amazing!

[kerravonsen]

Thank you!

I do a lot of pondering and letting my subconcious bubble through my ideas when I'm planning a work of this kind. It's very intuitive.

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

I'm blown away by your creation. The incredible beauty and fascinating symbolism... I just can't get over it. It's unlike anything I've ever seen, and it is stunning. Such craftsmanship, in every way!

Wow. Just... wow.

[kerravonsen]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Every time I do a new work, I hope to improve.
I am wowed by your wows. 8-)