Christoph Blatter’s work transcends cultural boundaries; his seven diverse jewelry collections (Vreneli, Cellula, Sine, Quadra, Ashanti and Unda) as well as his Art-Collection make myriad ethnic references. A goldsmith and jewelry designer, he has developed his own spatial vocabulary that distinguishes his work at first glance. Vreneli
Bobbin lace made of precious metal
Vreneli is the name of the
new jewelry range from Christoph Blatter. It is based on a floral pattern with radial symmetry that, when scaled up or down, can be arranged to create various pieces of jewelry. When put together, the resulting surfaces are reminiscent of fine bobbin lace, a craft that in centuries gone by was firmly anchored in Swiss tradition. Vreneli is a typical Swiss girl’s name that occurs in the term “Goldvreneli”, the only Swiss coin still minted in gold today. Blatter adopted the name in memory of his deceased mother. The collier from the Vreneli collection resembles a garland of daisies. It lies like a ruff around the neck and shoulders of the wearer and conveys the impression of fine bobbin lace. The delicate lines with their radial symmetry appear to be a faithful recreation of a work of nature, and yet Christoph Blatter has used state-of-the-art computer technology in their design. Cellula
Cosmos of repetitions and variations
With Cellula, Christoph Blatter complements his present collection by adding a completely new range. The lightness of the open-worked precious metal calls to mind an enlarged image of plant cells. Because of their transparency, the effect of the miniature sculptures unfolds completely when they are worn and the skin glows through the openings. The beauty of nature manifests itself both on the large scale and the small scale. The world of cells, observed under a microscope, is a cosmos in which repetition and variation are reflected to the same extent. The jewelry in the Cellula collection calls to mind an enlarged cross-section through a plant stem. Sine
Wearable Sculpture, in Miniature
The Sine rings enfold the finger. A hole penetrating the solidified strips enables one to wear these miniature sculptures: they are attractive not only the hand, but as objects in their own right. The regular arrangement of the folds lends each ring lightness, stability, and volume, in equal measure. Flexible by nature, these rings adapt themselves to the shape of the hand. Their three-dimensional nature creates these miniature sculptures that can easily be displayed as such. Changing their position on the finger brings up different forms, creating a new object with each movement. Quadra
A Diamond in Focus
The solitaire rings in the Quadra collection are as minimal as possible — to allow the fire of the diamond to burn as brilliantly as possible. Every part of the shank and setting can be traced to its cross-section. Still, the various forms of each piece confer a sense of individuality to every ring. Quadra is the convincing alternative to traditional solitaire rings. The unusual Asscher-cut diamond displays its best qualities in the geometrical setting of this series. The various shank forms give each model its distinct identity. Ashanti
An Ancient Art Revisited
In his Ashanti series, Christoph Blatter adapts the ancient Ghanese jewelry making tradition of the Ashanti king to contemporary life. The ever-present spiral theme, symbol of life and time, is both an ornamental and technical necessity; it is shaped by the mold itself. Each piece requires its own mold, which is lost during the casting process, making each piece a unique work of art. Sensual curves and lightness in volume turn wearing these rings into a distinctive experience. The subtle structure, which alternates matt and shiny, offers depth and vigor to the spiral as a symbol of life. Unda
Architecture in Miniature
Unda celebrates the wave. Like folds of fabric undulating in the wind, thin strips of precious metal take the shape of waves. In these dynamic pieces, the sense of form is not determined by the metal, but by the negative space in between. The designer rotates, strings together, and shifts the original geometrical forms, transforming the pieces into light, three-dimensional objects. Architecture and miniature characterize the Unda jewelry collection. The gently undulating lines and the lightness impart life and stasis at the same time. The secret of Unda lies in the adding volume to its delicately thin strips of precious metal.
