Sidney Mobell's outrageous jewels featured at the Headley-Whitney Museum

May 26, 11:19 AMLexington Contemporary Art ExaminerClaire Pope

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Photo courtesy of www.thesidneymobell.com

San Francisco based jewelry designer Sidney Mobell turns the ordinary into extraordinary while tempting the viewer to question their own perception of jeweled art. Among his most outrageous works are a gold garbage can, gold toilet seat, and a glittering 14 carat gold and diamond mouse trap. For over 30 years, the artist has created elaborate bejeweled works that bring a sense of magic and wonder to everyday household objects. His work is now featured in the Jeweled Objects of Desire exhibition at the Headley-Whitney Museum.

Photo courtesy of www.thesidneymobell.com

This Exhibition comes to the Lexington museum courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution. In 2003, 19 pieces of Mobell’s art were given to the Smithsonian Institution as part of the U.S. National Gem Collection. These gem laden works now compose the Smithsonian’s Mobell Collection of Jeweled Art. Included in the collection is an 18 carat solid gold dominoes set with 420 diamonds, a diamond and gold sardine can set with 55 diamonds, a gem-studded fly reel set with diamonds, sapphires and rubies, and an elaborate gold and diamond pacifier.

Photo courtesy of www.thesidneymobell.com

Mobell, who grew up in an orphanage in Denver, Colorado during the depression era, is world renowned for his intricate, bizarre work. He has even been included in the Guinness Book of World Records. The artist is well known for his skill and imagination, but his innovative contributions to contemporary art and jewelry are also extremely significant. Similar to the ready-made art of artists such as Marcel Duchamp and contemporary artists such as Damien Hirst, Mobell tempts the viewer to question their own perception of art. In addition, he entices the viewer to question the perception of the function of jewels and jewelry and their relation to everyday objects. Is a pacifier made extraordinary when it is encrusted in diamonds? Does its function change? Why? These are but a few questions that Mobell’s original pieces raise. Visit the exhibition yourself to examine these unique works and search for the answers to the fascinating questions posed by the famed jewelry designer Sidney Mobell.

Jeweled Objects of Desire will be on exhibit at the Headley-Whitney Museum through July 31, 2009.