SEVAN BIÇAKÇI Sevan Biçakçi creates jewellery that is eminently collectible. He is often seen wearing several of his rings on each hand and stacking multiple bracelets around each wrist. His bold distinctive pieces look like they might come straight from the proverbial Aladdin’s cave, making a statement that is inherently different to that of straightforward single, high carat gem rings, for example. “The statement my unique designs make about their wearers is quite simple: they work very much like the symbols of ancient goddesses and gods, telling us about their beliefs, strengths, love for nature or interest in culture, history and about many other facets, thus making them feel like genuine individuals. I don’t think that such goals can be achieved with the classic single, high carat gem ring which may hint at one’s wealth or the generosity of the person who buys it, however I personally expect more than that from jewellery. I expect my pieces to function as subjects, not as objects.” The cultural references of Biçakçi’s work are firmly rooted in the Ottoman Empire and the Byzantium before that, with collectors attracted by the highly idiosyncratic, story-telling style, intricate craftsmanship and fantastical design, all interwoven in the same piece. “The culture that is reflected in my works is basically a summary of the last 3000 years on today’s Turkish territory, which makes Armenian culture equally an inevitable part of it. I take pride in living in a geographical area that has been considered the melting pot of civilizations throughout history and I try to mimic this characteristic with my personal approach to jewellery design. From the viewpoint of cultural influence, none of my pieces are in fact of distinct Ottoman, Byzantine or Armenian character. Rather, they reflect all influences that have been interacting in this part of the world for several thousands of years. Inspired by an ocean of cultural layers, I create one-of-a-kind crossbreeds.”
96
www.sevanbicakci.com
