Book review: Shows and Tales: On Jewelry Exhibition-Making, published by Art Jewelry Forum

Skeels, Rebecca (2016) Book review: Shows and Tales: On Jewelry Exhibition-Making, published by Art Jewelry Forum.Findings (62).p. 31.ISSN 2041-7047 I received this book due to my role at the University for the Creative Arts, and from recently joining the Art Jewelry Forum as a School. It is a great size book and printed in newspaper style columns, making it easy to read whether at home, work or on-the-go. Although I have read the book cover to cover to write this review, I think I would prefer to use it as a reference book and read it in an order that took my fancy over a longer period of time. The different authors, of the various essays and exhibition reviews, make the focus, writing style and enjoyment varied, and allows me to find something to match my mood at the time of reading. Shows and Tales is informative and very up-to-date, so I recommend reading it sooner rather than later. However, the information includes useful facts and dates to make it a great reference book for gallery owners, curators, exhibitors, makers and definitely those who are studying. Each author looks at different aspects of exhibiting, from the history of how some of the great shows started, how museums have experimented and pushed ideas and the challenges they have had with changing of directors and restrictions, as well as the more experimental shows related to title because of the display methods rather than themed, such as ‘Suspended’ (one I took part in myself), and even exhibitions involving participation and various display ideas. Each section ends with a short conclusion of the author’s thoughts, summing up each essay or review. The sections also contain further reference materials, which become enticing when you have read an essay that you really enjoy or has sparked thoughts and ideas. The most enjoyable element of reading this book was how it made me consider and think about jewellery and how as jewellers, curators and those interested in jewellery we are already thinking about display and exhibition more than most disciplines. I myself have toyed and played with display every time I have had the opportunity to exhibit my work, such as using video and individually-made display systems. I do not think we have found the ideal displays yet, whilst there have been some glamorous ones and interesting ones, we all have issues with security, funding, visitors’ experience, space and issues with the absence of the body. As members of the ACJ we should definitely be pushing the boundaries and really explore how we could show jewellery and related objects off to their best and maybe include the real depth of research and exploration that is involved in designing and making, this book really helps the grey matter start that process