Eda’s avatar object
The print I made for the origami diamonds.
Bridge 2 – Avatar Object
Eda’s Diamonds and Crystals
Eda Baysak is a Turkish visual artist who studies at Parsons School of Design. Ever since she was young, at every major event she would get crystal or diamond jewelries from her family. Being away from home, in New York, Eda feels that the crystals make her feel closer to her family in Turkey. Whenever Eda feels upset, she likes to hold the stones so they would give her power and remind her how strong, valuable and rare she is. She believes in the healing power of those objects, so when she was asked to pick an avatar object it felt natural for her to choose her diamonds and crystals collection.
Like Eda, many people believe in the healing power of crystals and prefer to look for healing energies in external objects instead of receiving them from their own-selves. An example for using those objects for therapy is a system called “Crystal Healing”. In this method, the therapist puts the crystals on the patient’s body in order to cure them. This technique often corresponds to concepts of energy grids and chakras. In addition, many people believe that every stone has its own meaning and powers. For instance, Kyanite crystal means loyalty, chakra balance, reduces anger and the Bloodstone crystal supposes to help centering, adaptability, reduce anxiety. But those powers also evokes doubts; some may argue that this phenomenon is a myth and since there is no proof of such power they see it as placebo. So If the power it gives is just a psychologic reaction, does it mean that some of us are looking for the cure in the wrong place and the power to heal can actually be found in our inner-selfs?
All across history, jewelry has always been a symbol of femininity since of the beautiful and unique way they embellish the body. Iconic women all across history had a special attach to them. Elizabeth Taylor, for instance, was known for her diamonds obsession. Her large jewelry collection was sold after her death for a record-breaking sum of $156.8 million.
But diamonds are not only a fashionable accessory, they are also a symbol of status. Since diamonds are rare and expensive, they represents class and wealth. It can also be said that, like every luxury item, diamonds can make one feel more “valuable” and unique. So, In a world where materiality takes such a significant place, does a diamond not only indicate your own value, but can also measure your worth according to others?
The tradition of giving a diamond ring in order to express love and “assure” loyalty shows that in some cases it does. The size, quality and rarity of the diamond is so important as if it measures the love itself.
The eternal character of a diamond means that humans will always be attracted to them. Humans’ survival instinct resists the fact that we are indeed not forever. Thus, the love for those eternal objects can be interpreted as comfort for our decay, it is like “life’s placebo”. Eventually, we will end up with the same things we were born with, which is nothing but ourselves. But until then, why don’t we treat ourselves with some beautiful diamonds and crystals? Even if their only power is decorative, even because their only power is a decoration.
For this project I made a print out of Eda’s crystals and created origami diamonds which I made into a crown. I wanted to create tension between the rarity and value of the diamond and the fake paper one which I made. I like the contrast that was created since diamonds are the strongest material in nature and are counted to be forever. By making the diamond from paper, which is a soft, simple and expendable material, I wanted to show the placebo effect that crystals and diamonds have on people who believe in their healing power. In addition, the irony in making such a glorious object from simple paper brings up many questions about materialism, power, love and death. The new shape of a diamond crown was made in order to correspond with femininity and feminine power and to present the historical aspect of women wearing diamonds and their attachment to them. The new object I made is an allegory to human kind. Our attraction to diamonds is based on the constant passion to somehow live forever but in reality, only diamonds are forever and we, like paper, eventually wither.
The process of making an object based on another object was a very challenging experience. It was the first time I have ever done something like that. I love that I could always correspond and get inspiration from the original object. I feel that it is a very unique way since it can reference something else and the comparison between the two adds many depth and interest to the final piece. I am curious to work in this method again as a source for developing my work.
