PAPER RAD/EXTREME ANIMALS VIDEO AT MOMA NYC

Here is a still…

Paper Rad PopRally was held July 24 2007 in the foyer of Moma. Such an epic night!

I posted a video I took with my digital camera on my youtube channel. If you ever wanted to see… crazy hot dancing girl in body sock, bart simpson moshing in the museum of modern art, Extreme Animals play in moma and so on then watch the clip!

Boom for real. *meln

VOYANT MAGAZINE OF LUXEMBOURG INTERVIEW

I am happy to share with you the full MELNCOLY interview from the Fall issue of Voyant magazine based out of Luxembourg.

1. What influenced you to become involved in this craft? How did it happen.

*I started making jewelry when I was a teen. I would stay at home and watch movies and play with chains and such. It’s funny how things haven’t changed much over the years. When I returned to Calgary from London back in 2005, I was working in my studio this one night trying to make some jewelry for myself. I created what is now my Signature Teardrop Earring. When I would wear it out, friends would ask me where I got it. Then the next thing I knew I had a number of orders. It just kind of grew from there.

2. (Without being too technical) Can you describe the physical process in making a piece?

* Well it really depends on the piece. Mainly I measure the lengths of chain and connect the pieces together. I then balance the chains so they sit properly on the human form. This is key to my work. Some of the pieces are very time consuming.

3. What is it about this process that you find artistic (why is jewelry making art?)

*I treat each piece like my art because it is what I have created. I create each piece myself. Jewelry is wearable art and when I see my work on the human form I see the lines where I intended them to be. Jewelry is one form in how I express myself.

4. What is creative process in designing a piece like? or How do you find inspiration?

* Most of the times I play around with the chains. They are what inspire me. It’s like they speak to me and tell me how to hang them. Other times I look at a woman’s or man’s body and actually see what I would like to see on the human form. Then I sketch it in my drawing book.

5. Are you inspired by other forms of art (architecture, photos, paint, sculpture, etc)?

*I am inspired by avant-garde photography and film. I am heavily inspired by my friends animations and art such as Paper Rad, e*rock, Ola Vasiljeva and Rob Corradetti. Within the fashion industry I am drawn to the work of Jun Takahashi and other Japanese creators.

6. I noticed some of your pieces are tear-shaped, often hanging down, perhaps implying a sadness? And some necklaces branch off and cross over themselves back to the original chain as if each necklace were a narrative line of conflict/resolution. Do you incorporate any kind of themes like these into your work. And if so, what does your art say, and how does it say it?

*That is very beautiful Sean. I would like people to think what they wish about my work. It would be a shame for me to fill in all of the blanks. With this collection I am mainly trying to focus on bone structure. I think the most beautiful areas on a woman are the neck and back. People often think because of my name, Melncoly that it has meaning of sadness. It stems from a name I have had with me for a very long time. My nickname is Meln (shortened form of Melyssa N.). Melncoly is just an extension of my nickname.

7. How does apprenticing keep you inspired? And do you recommend apprenticeship to other artists eager to learn and trade in art?

*I think apprenticeship is great, but you have to know what you want out of the experience from the start. From my experience, I had what I was looking for already within myself. It is important as creators to know what you stand for and to always be directed towards your own voice.