4.1 x 1.8 x 1.1cm, 8.7 g
White and Black Mother of Pearl Sheet, Sterling Silver and Brass
This collection is called "The 25th Hour". The name is a representation of a created imaginary world outside of the actual 24 hours in a day.
This collection was inspired by the bike, moon, and Dingyuan Liu's experience during the pandemic lockdown which delved into the imagination of escapes from Earth. Back to the lockdown time in the summer of 2020. Restrictions, rules of travel, and visiting friends triggered Ding's fantasy of going out, it made her create a utopia in her imagination. She was thinking, except for walking, what is the safest vehicle for traveling around? When is the safest time for going outside that could let her avoid people? What happens if we escape somewhere with no people or escape to another planet?
There are 3 series in this project, from heavy to lightweight jewellery which represents the reality and utopian. The 3 pairs of selected kinetic earrings are from series 1 - "Reality". Each pair of earrings contain a different function and could be worn in multiple ways. Materials and techniques were carefully selected and used to represent the background story. The white and black mother of pearl symbolises the colour of the moon at different day times. The silver and gold colour metals represents the shimmering moonlight. Cold connection and stone setting techniques were used, such as rivets, screws, tension set and bezel set, to create movement and character for the earring.