Gold digging for goldsmithing

Wednesday 16 October 2013

An action-packed 1960’s movie featuring a jewellery heist will be showcased Wednesday night at the Coombs Lecture Theatre from 7pm, as part of the Inaugural Gold and Silver Screen Fundraiser.

As for exactly what will be shown – that’s being kept under wraps until just before the film screening starts.

“The end scene is being blasted with molten gold. The guy in the movie ends up stealing this emerald neck piece and then having to use the emeralds as bullets to shoot up his attackers,” says second year Arts student and President of the ANU Gold and Silversmithing Students Society Zoe Brand.

“So it’s a bit of a heist with some very sexy cars in it and pretty hilarious music. It’s a bit schmaltzy but a lot of fun.”

Zoe jokes that while it may be a “very classically badly dubbed 1960’s movie”, there is a serious meaning to the screening.

The fundraiser is being held to raise money for a rare piece of equipment – a $7,000 Hydro Zone Welder, which, when purchased will make the School of Art one of the first welders of its kind in the country to have one.

“Most people think of welding as a flammable gas but the storage issue with that can be quite a major safety risk. With a Hydro Zone Welder, all you do is add water,” says Acting Head of the Gold and Silversmithing Workshop, Simon Cottrell.

The welder creates a cleaner and hotter flame that helps the artists create different pieces.

The catch is it has to be purchased overseas and maintained by the School of Art, because no companies currently import it into Australia.

It’s hoped the fundraising event will occur yearly featuring films alternating between old movies, and short films featuring silversmithing artists who work with film.

Simon says the event is also about building community in Canberra and opening up understanding of the work that artists do in the Silversmithing Workshop.

“Most people just think we set stones into gold, but that’s not at all what we do.

“We’re in the School of Art and we’re really trying to push the conventions of what jewellery is and what it can be and what metal smithing and silversmithing can be.

“We make wonderful jewellery but we can do a hell of a lot more than that. We’re really trying to open up people’s expectations of what we can do.”

More than $1,500 worth of door prizes are up for grabs on Wednesday night, including works of art from staff, students and those who have had works displayed at the National Gallery. A powerpoint presentation will also be screened highlighting student work and awards that recent and current graduates have received.

“So basically it’s an opportunity to promote the Gold and Silversmithing Workshop to a wider audience and show that we make really interesting work and show that jewellery isn’t just sparkly diamonds,” says Simon.

For more information you can check out the ANU Gold and Silversmithing facebook page. To get tickets to the film, head to www.trybooking.com/64913. Tickets are $20 each or $15 for students.

A Woodwork and Furniture exhibition is also being showcased before the film screening at the Pod Space at Lonsdale Street Traders from 6pm.

 

 

Updated:  17 October 2013/Responsible Officer:  Head of School/Page Contact:  CASS Marketing & Communications