Mirrored works : perceptions of reflected treasures

This thesis, Mirrored Works: Perceptions of Reflected Treasures and accompanying exhibition, links two ancient praxes: that of personal adornment and that of gazing into reflective surfaces. I ask whether the reflective worn object can be meaningful and, if so, why? To answer the question, I examine the language of objects and in particular the language of the reflective worn object and notions of social connection and disconnection. By using reflection as both practice and material I acknowledge the influential role mirror has played throughout history. I present Art Jewellery "as a mirroring practice that physically engages the viewer." Reflection I assert that by acting as a facilitator Art Jewellery and, in particular, the reflective worn object, can act as a mediator and contribute to counterbalancing the disconnecting influence which digital-social-media is having on interpersonal relationships today. Finally, I discuss the supporting body of work Reflective Perceptions, and elucidate why and how it was constructed using Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) as production methodology.