Some exciting things coming down the pipeline. I was awarded an Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship to explore the link between propaganda and enameling from late may through mid-august. Whether it was for religious propaganda in the Middle Ages to die stamped Soviet pins and medals in the 20th century, the ability to add bold color to metal provides an interesting way to disseminate ideas via jewelry and other precious objects.

While I may need to set up a separate blog to document the work I'll be doing over the summer I thought I would take some time to post some references here. The references run the gamut from actual enamel examples to outsider artists that influence me.

Considering that the term Propaganda stems from the Catholic Church it should be no surprise that enamels were frequently applied to religious relics. Enamels used this way functioned similarly to the stained glass windows found in churches throughout Europe, on one level helping to teach biblical stories to illiterate masses and on  another level to provide a sense of mystical awe.

Also here are some great examples of how bold color with emotionally loaded imagery can present propaganda in a insidious, oddly subtle way. By wearing a medals such as these the wearer is not just indicating an achievement but is transmitting notions of the greatness of the state.

15th century religious triptych. 

St. Gregory the Great. Enamel plaque, Jacques I Laudin.

Order of Victory, Soviet Union.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Victory

The only Soviet Medal to be made by a jeweler and not manufactured in a factory.  

Order of the Badge of Honour, Soviet Union.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Badge_of_Honor

Let's Fulfill the Plan of Great Works, Gustav Klutsis.

Postcard for the All Union Spartikiada Sporting Event, Gustav Klutsis.

Pamiati Pogibshikh Vozhdei, Gustav Klutsis.