Silver News
Industry Could Benefit from Wave of New
Artists
Rosanne Raab is a lecturer
and curator in contemporary, 20th century silver hollowware
and flatware. Her shows have been on exhibit at major galleries
for the past decade, and her current show "Borne with
a Silver Spoon," a collection of American artists and
their interpretations of the spoon, has been traveling for
the past two years. Following are edited excerpts of an interview
with Raab.
Q - What trends do you see in the world
of silver artistry?
A - T see more university-trained artists
working in silver. Those who stay in the studio are developing
their own market of private clients. These collectors are
setting the pace in the design world.
Q - What does it take to bring fine artists
to the industrial bench?
A - I've had discussions with the industry
for years, and unfortunately they have told me they can't
afford to take a chance on many new patterns. For an item
to crossover it takes a specific price point and a design
that can be produced by machine although it can still be hand
finished. There must be an opportunity for production and
volume. Limited editions are not financially appealing to
industry.
Q - How can industry change that?
A - I'd like to see industry take a risk
and bring artists in on a part-time basis to create showcase
presentations. These are not for main production but to offer
the public a chance to buy unique one-of-a-kind pieces that
give their current silver collection a more personal quality.
I don't want industry to get rid of their current collections
but to enrich their current markets. One problem is that industry
silversmiths sometimes see university artists as competition
for their jobs, but that fear is unfounded.
Steubon [the glass maker] has a special artist
series. The silver industry could come forward and do something
similar. Silver takes the quality of your life and gives it
a greater glow. You can look at stainless and pewter, but
silver really upgrades any presentation.
Q - What design trends are you seeing?
A - I'm seeing people who are starting to
design for the table. People want hand-done and hand-raised
flatware because silver still retains a feeling of celebration.
Silver News - December 1994/January
1995
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