A Poem to be Worn

What is it

In A Hundred Examples of Named Objects in Poetry, Mr Yang Zhishui delves into the numerous items mentioned in ancient poetry, including, of course, jewellery. We are pleased to discover the centuries-long intimate relationship between jewellery and poetry. Upon closer examination, there is a subtle resonance between the two, creating a harmonious connection that feels inevitable. While “narrative jewellery” is often seen as a genre, there is no doubt that jewellery’s broader narrative function runs through both its intrinsic qualities and its external history. Externally, this history can be traced from primitive magical worship to modern-day consumerism.  Internally, as an object that generates “aesthetic interest” through “visual imagery,” jewellery has a unique way of “expressing and interpreting,” which naturally allows it to encounter poetry. 

When a viewer directly interprets a piece of jewellery, their personal background plays a key role, as Gadamer posits that understanding is a reconciliation or fusion between the horizon of the interpreter and that of the past, a concept widely applied in the analysis of visual culture. From the perspective of poetry, Zhu Guangqian offered a similar viewpoint, believing that appreciating poetry is a creative act. Therefore, what each individual sees and feels, based on their character, tastes, and experiences, cannot be identical to any other reader’s experience.

Another way of interpreting jewellery is through the involvement of the wearer. When jewellery is worn, the wearer’s personal story naturally blends with the jewellery, creating new narratives that are presented to the viewer. Thus, jewellery offers the wearer the right to “recreate,” an opportunity to imbue their identity with new meanings. Similarly, when a person recites poetry in a specific setting, the act not only conveys the poet’s work but also reflects back on the reciter, embodying the saying, “A well-read person radiates grace.”

When it comes to expression, jewellery’s expressive power was once considered through a binary “content-form” lens. This is somewhat akin to Croce’s theory of expression, where an emotionally charged image realised through mental intuition is considered a finished work, whether it be poetry, painting, or other art forms. However, modern linguistics recognises the coherence and simultaneous generation of language and thought. This perspective, used in analysing poetry theory, can also be applied to many contemporary jewellery creations. These works fully harness jewellery’s own language—its materials, colours, structure, texture, symbolism, and wearability—to convey concepts, thus firmly maintaining jewellery’s legitimacy within the boundless realm of visual arts.

Therefore, upon recognising the long-standing relationship between jewellery and poetry, we eagerly seek to deepen their resonance, understanding, and collaboration. In the exhibition A Poem You Can Wear, we have invited both jewellery artists and poets to collaborate, encouraging each visitor at GALLERY JINJING to listen closely to the “whispered conversations” between jewellery and poetry.

Academic Directors: Xin Guo, Jiaying Xu

Curators: Qi Shi, Chong Shi

Art Directors: Xinru Dai, Wenjing Zheng

Associate Curators: Lisuo, Yiru Zhang

Artists:
Alice Biolo, Youzhi Bi, Yu Chen, Yichen Dong, Xinru Dai, Ping Gong, Jun Hu, Kristina Merchant, Ling Yin Shum, Nan Li, Xiaoyu Li, Yuxuan Lin, Xiao Liu, Bin Liu, Xiaoqi Liu, Yutong Liu, Zhen Lu, Militsa Milenkova, Misha McLean, Lin Mo, Yi Peng, Junying Ren, Satur Chong, Jieyi Sun, Qi Shi, Zixin Wei, Mian Wu, Teddy Wang, YouJin Seo, Xiaohui Yang, Yuanyuan Yu, Juliette Zhu, Yi Zhao, Nannan Zhang, Siqiu Zhang, Qin Zhang, Yitong Zhang

Brands:
Aeolus Studio, 1DOTSTUDIO, A-D-JUST, AlJewel, Flame&I, GASSIEVONG, Shiwuu, Luuede, Outof, PICKUPLEE, STONE SURGE, Toggler, Xubai, Xingnan ARK, Yike, YiErSan

Poets: Chunshu, Gehualen, Wasting Butterfly, Nanren, Qizi, Santu, Shengxing, Weihuan, Xidu Heshang, Wild Book

Organiser: JINJING GALLERY

Supporting Partners: HOW+, Motie Poetry Reading Club, ALSOLIKE

When is it

24 November 2024 - 16 March 2025

 

Where is it

JINJING GALLERY, Shanghai.

What to expect