Jewellery

By exploring the attitude that lies at the heart of jewellery, the Rietveld Academie takes a strong position in saying that a jewellery attitude does not necessarily have to lead to jewellery design.
Grasping and defining the jewellery attitude not only helps to position contemporary jewellery in relation to contemporary art and culture (arts, fashion, and design) but also — and probably more importantly — it allows for a more precise formulation and extrapolation of what future jewellers are good at and what their praxis could look like. It strengthens their identity and gives space for new activities both within and outside of the jewellery context. Students are challenged to approach a wide range of issues and projects in a jewellery-related manner. This manner is obviously not predefined. It is up to the student to give character and meaning to this. During their studies, students learns to position themselves and their work within a given or self-generated field or context. This allows them to work within any given field or context, applying their own and authentic methods, signature and knowledge.

The multidisciplinary team of instructors supervises the students and organises the curriculum. The curriculum has its roots in fundamental jewellery issues such as adorning and expression, identity, and identification, the human body, the relationship of maker-jewellery-wearer, the sign, signal, and message, mass production versus the unique art piece, craft and technology, classic techniques, new materials and natural resources, the history of trade and the emergence of monetary systems, and jewellery as art in the public sphere versus the intimate.

The focus on these topics in combination with the specific and highly personal way of making, translating and thinking is what distinguishes the jeweller. As an outcome of this experimental and research-based approach the course is not limited to particular materials and the student’s research may be expressed by means of various media in 2D or 3D. In addition, students may use performance, photography, sculpture, video and other forms of expression.

The aim is for the student to learn to reflect on his work and be able to connect the work to the outside world. To be able to present, clarify and defend the work is vital. During the first year and for part of the second specialist year, the student works primarily within the framework of assignments and thematic projects in order to gain substantive, formal and technical experience. The student will learn to work with various materials and techniques, as well as gaining basic knowledge about the traditional field of work. During the graduation year, the student realises a concept of his or her own choice, which is then exhibited in public in order to evaluate its visual, philosophical and technical merits. The students who join the department are expected to display an independent, open and mature attitude towards their studies.

Courses offered

Subject-related and technical supervision, visual research, 3D design, progress discussions (individually and in groups), art theory, research strategies, reading and writing class, workshops, guest lessons and lectures, field trips, draughtsmanship, preparation for professional practice, group projects, presentations and exhibition practice.

Study structure

First specialisation year

During the first specialisation year, you will work on the basis of assignments and thematic projects helping you to gain substantive, formal and technical experience. Alongside this you develop free work which you initiate yourself. You will be guided in this process.

Second specialisation year

During the second year you will deepen your work and research and you will work towards an authentic visual language. You will initiate projects and gain skills for thorough theoretical research. You will be guided in setting up a sustainable artistic working methodology.

Third specialisation year

In the third specialisation year, you will work towards the final examination. In addition to the visual work, the final examination will include a thesis. The examination will be concluded with a large exhibition by all of the Rietveld Academie’s departments, held at the end of July, which will be open to the public.

See all Jewellery projects

Projects

While studying in the Jewellery department, you will regularly have the opportunity to display your work to the public, for example at a presentation, an exhibition, a school presentation, an open day or a symposium.

Theory

Visiting lectures of the Studium Generale is compulsory in the first specialisation year of the Jewellery programme. It is elective in the second and third year. The Studium Generale provides a general theoretical context concerning current themes in the contemporary international art world. The Studium Generale brings in prominent speakers from the Netherlands and abroad to give lectures. For more information, see Studium Generale

Work placement and exchange

A work placement at the end of the second specialisation year or the beginning of the third year is a compulsory part of the programme. Students may take part in exchange programmes during the second specialisation year, but this is not compulsory.