Edited by Angelika Taschen. Text by Vivienne Becker.
A chamber of curiosities cast in jewels: the art of goldsmith Otto Jakob both disturbs and fascinates
Otto Jakob (born 1951) is an internationally renowned German jewelry maker, and perhaps one of the most unusual. After studying painting under Georg Baselitz, he turned to goldsmithing. As an autodidact, he learned to mix traditional techniques with contemporary content. His pieces are meticulously detailed and, rather than being only formally pleasing, they tell stories.
Jakob’s influences are manifold: nature, religion, art and art history. For instance, his jellyfish earrings, Medusae, are inspired by Ernst Haeckel’s lithographs. To make his Cyphostemma earrings, Jacob made casts of the leaves of a rare Somalian plant, while the most fascinating types of insects from his personal chamber of curiosities serve as models for his beetle earrings.
This volume reveals Jakob’s creative universe and features important leitmotifs from his work. The sources of his inspiration are contrasted with his works, revealing the vocabulary of form he uses for his magical pieces.
Featured image is reproduced from 'Otto Jakob: Ripe Fruit.'
FORMAT: Hbk, 9.75 x 12 in. / 296 pgs / 309 color. LIST PRICE: U.S. $85.00 LIST PRICE: CANADA $115 ISBN: 9783775744942 PUBLISHER: Hatje Cantz AVAILABLE: 2/19/2019 DISTRIBUTION: D.A.P. RETAILER DISC: TRADE PUBLISHING STATUS: Out of stock indefinitely AVAILABILITY: Not available TERRITORY: NA LA
Published by Hatje Cantz. Edited by Angelika Taschen. Text by Vivienne Becker.
A chamber of curiosities cast in jewels: the art of goldsmith Otto Jakob both disturbs and fascinates
Otto Jakob (born 1951) is an internationally renowned German jewelry maker, and perhaps one of the most unusual. After studying painting under Georg Baselitz, he turned to goldsmithing. As an autodidact, he learned to mix traditional techniques with contemporary content. His pieces are meticulously detailed and, rather than being only formally pleasing, they tell stories.
Jakob’s influences are manifold: nature, religion, art and art history. For instance, his jellyfish earrings, Medusae, are inspired by Ernst Haeckel’s lithographs. To make his Cyphostemma earrings, Jacob made casts of the leaves of a rare Somalian plant, while the most fascinating types of insects from his personal chamber of curiosities serve as models for his beetle earrings.
This volume reveals Jakob’s creative universe and features important leitmotifs from his work. The sources of his inspiration are contrasted with his works, revealing the vocabulary of form he uses for his magical pieces.
