The materiál that I hold in my hands leads me

Interview with Dodo Paruznik

1. Tell me about how you came to be a jeweller. How did your love affair with jewellery begin?

Because of the influence of artists and goldsmiths in my family, I always felt love and passion for jewellery and design. As a child I always watched my dad making new things out of simple pieces of raw material, and I was fascinated by how he could miraculously produce something precious. My first works and experiences at the goldsmiths academy and the charming aura of this industry dragged me from there ever more into its magic. Therefore, jewellery design studies were the only logical step I could make to further my development.

2. How do you define yourself?

I could say that I am a creative person, and most of us are naturally chaotic in an organised way. That could drive people around us crazy, but this is one of the best ways for me to produce exciting and innovative pieces. I love to travel the world and I normally transfer my experiences into my jewellery. That means everything around me, and especially nature, is my main source of inspiration. And since I love nature so much, my work is often a critical approach to current topics like animal welfare, environmental pollution, and nature conservancy.

3. Can you talk me through your design process?

The material that I hold in my hands leads me. I also try to recreate forgotten, found, or just thrown away things and turn them into jewellery and wearable art. At the same time, my pieces constitute a platform for my thoughts. Upcycling things and materials is my way of reminding our society of the necessity of environmental awareness.

4. Tell me about the evolution and range of your styles of jewellery.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said,

“The nature of women is so closely related to art.”

In the sense of this quote, I create wearable art.

Necklace “HAPPY MEAL” from series “JEWELLERY TO THE BONE”, year 2018, material: resin, meat, poultry blood powder, bone meal, brass,

karneol, gold leaf, photo by Dodo Paruznik Necklace “BUBBLE DREAM” from series “WASTISH”, year 2022, material: bio resin, bubble wrap, brass, red coated metall, photo by Dodo Paruznik

Most people have a confusing concept of jewellery in their heads, and that is that the value of precious stones and precious metals is worth more than anything else. I am very conscious of and obsessed with the question of how we can change people’s thinking, and whether they can accept this new concept of producing jewellery.

The generally accepted should not be the limit...

I always felt unfulfilled by traditional jewellery, so I started to study jewellery design at the SchmuckModeDesign Herbststrasse. These studies changed my whole view on jewellery, especially the workshop “intervention – invention – intention – the great egg race project” with the two renowed jewellery artists Peter Vermandere and Tim Carson. After this it was easier for me to choose my graduation project topic, which was “JEWELLERY TO THE BONE”. For this series I made pieces out of bone, blood powder, and meat, and these were shown at a lot of exhibitions in many countries.

5. What sets you apart from other jewellers?

I make one- of- a- kind jewellery and objects. My pieces are either unique or very rarely produced in a small series. Mostly I de- and re-construct found objects and adapt them with goldsmithing techniques. I don't see any reason to declare everything that lands in the garbage bin as useless. Upcycling is another possibility and I want to show the world my way of being creative with things that would otherwise have been thrown away.

6. Where can we find your jewellery?

You can find my jewellery either at one of the exhibitions I am attending, which I always announce on my instagram and facebook accounts @DOLCEDODOJEWELS, or on my website, WWW.DOLCEDODO.COM Currently I am also working on my new online shop, so stay tuned.

7. So what's new? Tell me about your latest work.

My latest work, “O COZZE MIO,” includes earrings made out of a mussel, bio resin, glass beads, sand, silver and 23kt

Earrings “O COZZE MIO” from series “AT THE BEACH”, year 2022, material: mussel, bio resin, silver, gold leaf, glass beads, sand,

photo by Dodo Paruznik

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gold leaf. These will be shown at the Premio Incinque Jewels Award during the Roma Jewellery Week in October 2022. The inspiration for this piece came to me during an Italian road trip, when I realised that mussels, called “cozze” in Italian, are a famous dish, especially in the Venice region. Together with their taste, and the breathtaking sunset over Venice, the idea was born.

I am also working on two new collections, “WASTISH” and “AT THE BEACH.” The pieces for “WASTISH” are made out of packaging materials and “AT THE BEACH” is a potpourri of my impressions of the dolce vita in Italy. The earrings “O COZZE MIO,” are a part of this series.

8. What is the greatest recognition of your work so far?

I was selected and invited to several exhibitions, including at the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna, Joya in Barcelona, Amberif Award in Gdansk, Amber Trip in Vilnius and many more. Each and every one was a great pleasure. Last year, my brooch “on point” was awarded with an honorary mention at the amberif design award 2021 with the theme “skarb – treasure – bijou – schatz”.

9. Who are your customers?

My customers come from all corners of society, as my jewellery covers many different categories. Students, business people, and retired ladies and gentlemen are all potential clients.

Inspiration photo for “O COZZE MIO”, sunset over Venice,

photo by Dodo Paruznik

10. What can we expect next from you?

From 24th September – 30th October some pieces of my work “WASTISH” will be shown in Portugal at the international Exhibition “Collectiva Meeting ´22” organised by Collectiva Joalharia de Autor.

My piece “O COZZE MIO” will be exhibited from 14th – 16th October in Rome at the Premio Incinque Jewels Award during the Roma Jewellery Week. It will be hosted by the Incinque Open Art Monti Gallery. Meanwhile, I am working on two new collections and on my online shop, so stay tuned. ■