Stephie Morawetz
On Ourselves. From Object to Interaction
20. 7. – 1. 8. 26
In contemporary jewellery art, we mostly encounter small sculptures on white backgrounds, behind glass, on pedestals. The body for which these pieces were once intended now exists only in our imagination. This is also the reason why we instinctively reach for familiar forms of jewellery: brooches, bangles, rings, earrings, necklaces. We can only relate to our body what we already know.
But what changes when the body becomes part of the piece of jewellery? What new possibilities open up when we understand jewellery not as an isolated object, but as a relationship between material and body?
In this course, we will explore our own bodies. How does material feel on the skin? How does movement change our perception? What sounds emerge through interaction and what unexpected combinations can be developed? The aim of the course is not to create another ring or necklace, but to develop an independent work that is only complete through its presence, its movement, its performance.
The outcome of the course will be jewellery presented through photography or performance in interaction with the body – a different way of thinking about, wearing, and displaying jewellery. New perspectives on the relationship between material, form, and body arise not on the pedestal, but on ourselves.
key data
- Venue
- Festung Hohensalzburg
- Date
- 20. 7. – 1. 8. 26
- Teaching language
- English (German possible)
- Participation fee
- 670 Euro (reduced 495 Euro)
- Requirements
- There are no prerequisites for the course; anyone can participate regardless of their level of knowledge about jewellery. The course focuses on exploring the theme of jewellery and the body; no goldsmithing techniques are required or covered in the course.
- What to bring
- Materials: 3–5 classic pieces of jewellery that can be reworked or processed (such as costume jewellery, rings, bangles, necklaces), your favourite material, and a material you dislike. Tools: Tools you like to work with, laptop, camera or/and smartphone.
- Maximum number of participants
- 16
Stephi Morawetz
In my work, I am rethinking the definition of luxury. Often luxury and value are understood as constants, but our world is in a state of constant change. This means that luxury, value, and what we consider precious are also in flux. I try to question not only the value of materials but also the value we assign to our own bodies. I tell stories that I realize multimedially, through performance, self-portraiture, or websites. With my work, I create new concepts of luxury to challenge our current values and re-evaluate what we consider precious.
Website
Exhibitions
2025 Lückenfüller – 30 Austrian Artists, Pratt Institute during NYCJW, New York, NY (US).
Eligius Prize, kura-t kunstraum traklhaus, Salzburg (AT); MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna.
Jewelry Code: Data is Wearable Art, Syldyr Project, National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana (KZ).
VOM KLEINEN INS GROSSE – Addition as Principle, Galerie Handwerk, Munich (DE).
Blooming in Two, duo exhibition, Closer Gallery, Beijing.
Sidekicks – Bags and Rings from the MAK Collection, MAK Geymüllerschlössel, Vienna.
Byond Andorment, Seoul Museum of Craft Art, Seoul.
2024 Adorned by Extinction (collaboration with Eni Cani), New York Jewelry Week, New York, NY.
Empathy, Silver Festival, Legnica (PL).
Particles, Brussels Jewellery Week, Brussels.
2023 Dream Machine, New York Jewelry Week, New York, NY.
100 RMB, Gallery Vonmo, Beijing.
Re:Action, Budapest Jewelry Week, Budapest.
2022 mit Eigensinn, Museum Angerlehner, Thalheim bei Wels (AT).
2019 Not only Decoration – Wearing Change, Villa Bengel, Idar-Oberstein (DE).
2015 Night and Day, duo exhibition, Ornamentum Gallery, New York, NY.
2015 Debut im Schmuckmuseum, Jewelry Museum, Pforzheim (DE).
Publications
Interview in Magyar Iparművészet, Márton Keppel, Nemzeti Müvészeti és Kulturális Kapcsplatok Alapítványa, Budapest Hungary, 2025.
Lückenfüllter, 30 Austrian Artists, Iris Hummer and Stephie Morawetz, independent published, Vienna Austria, 2025.
Wearable Objects - Issue 8, Interview, Vica Gabor, Virtuel Magazin, 2025.
„Not Only Decoration – Next time, maybe“, Stephie Morawetz, independent published, Vienna Austria, 2025.
New Earrings: 500+ Designs from Around the World, Nicolas Estrada, HOAKI BOOKS S.L., Barcelona Spain, 2024.
