Im Kunstunterricht und in der Schmuck AG entstandenen Schmuckstücke für einen internationalen Wettbewerb für zeitgenössischen Schmuck. Der Titel des Wettbewerbs lautete „I care a lot" – Middle East Portable Discussion. Einige der Schmuckstücke wurden auch bei der Schulkunstausstellung gezeigt.

Weitere Schmuckstücke finden Sie in unserer Galerie: I care a lot 2010

Auszüge aus der Bewerbung für „I care a lot"

Title of the project:

Precious education

Materials:

Thrown away school materials

Techniques used:

Easily accessible techniques which can be used at school – e.g. assembling pieces with wire, hot glue, glue.

Concept:

Education: We take for granted what others can just dream of – what is thrown away in our Western societies is absolute luxury in other parts of the world. Education in Afghanistan for example is highly valued: Kids are incredibly grateful to be able to go to school, but education takes place – if at all – under appalling circumstances. Nevertheless, receiving any sort of education in hope for a better future is highly appreciated.

As a secondary school teacher and jewellery artist this "portable discussion" sparked my enthusiasm, and the idea came up to focus on the importance of education in poorer and conflict laden countries. For those countries education is one of the most important long term solutions to many conflicts. Taking off from these ideas, it was close at hand to address this topic at school.

Young people were involved with a project where they turned thrown away school materials into jewellery. This aimed at raising the issue of the importance of education and its poor conditions in underdeveloped countries such as Afghanistan and furthermore sensitising them and the viewer to trigger thoughts, ideas and dialogues. To create jewellery, something that is linked to luxury, out of discarded school materials – a thought provoking impulse.

What was the starting point, or inspiration, for doing this project?

The starting point was the journey of a friend of mine to Afghanistan. Together with a film group she went there to make a documentary entitled "Afghanistan: Aufbruch wohin?" (Afghanistan: departure where to?). It focuses on schools scattered outside Herat, some of which have been financed with foreign money.

The sensitive film crew managed to impressively show under which conditions education happens, how highly people value it and how much they hope for a better future: You see children who go to school with enthusiasm and are grateful to have a solid house around them. In another school without foreign support, lessons take place under disastrous circumstances. In spite of all the difficulties, parents (often themselves illiterate) appreciate that their children are given a chance.

What were the main reasons for choosing the materials, shapes or technique in the work?

Using old school materials was chosen to make kids aware of the fact, how well they and our schools are equipped, and of how lucky they are to receive a good education.

The intention was to generate thoughts about how much we should value education – one of our most precious and important commodity. Very often valuable materials like gold, silver and stones are used to make jewellery – in this project cast off school materials are the main components to visualize the preciousness of education and to provoke discussion.

What kind of feelings do you wish to convey to the viewers of the work?

All the materials collected for this project were about to be thrown away by the pupils. Many of them were still in good condition but rejected anyway. The project aimed at triggering curiosity and start conversation: The old materials are telling their very own stories and hopefully they will invite people to talk.

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