Steal Ted Noten’s Concepts – Artwork Jewellery Discussion board

In April, Ted Noten opened his exhibition, Thirty-six Years on the Transfer / aka Route 36, at Galerie Marzee. In it, he presents one or a number of objects from every of the 36 years of his inventive profession, eradicating the hierarchy of “essential” and “unimportant” tasks. He positioned all of them collectively on a protracted strip of cardboard containers—an emblem of fixed transferring, touring, and perpetual movement. As well as, a ebook was revealed alongside the exhibition, conceived by Noten’s assistant, jewellery artist Into Niilo. The ebook itself is an artwork object: It options first-person tales by Noten concerning the items offered within the exhibition, in addition to amusing and unusual conditions linked to them. (Full disclosure: Karpilova, the interviewer for this text, additionally contributed to the publication.) A Nietzsche quote appears particularly becoming for Noten: “One should nonetheless have chaos in oneself to have the ability to give beginning to a dancing star.”

The interview is stuffed with the provocative remarks Noten likes to make. Discover out which beforehand unseen items are on view, the place are you able to learn the Ted Commandments (that’s not a typo), and the way a statuette from Moscow grew to become Noten’s muse.

Exhibition opening, Thirty-six Years on the Move / aka Route 36, April 18, 2026, at Galerie Marzee, photo: Michiel Heffels. The exhibition runs through through June 23, 2026. — Exhibition opening, *Thirty-six Years on the Transfer / aka Route 36,* April 18, 2026, at Galerie Marzee, picture: Michiel Heffels. The exhibition runs by by June 23, 2026.

Elena Karpilova: Why did you determine to do the present now, and at Marzee? Thirty-six years isn’t precisely a milestone anniversary.

Ted Noten: The timing was really unintended. Galerie Marzee was capable of provide me a really giant house, which is uncommon since jewellery galleries are usually fairly restricted in dimension.

Precisely 36 years in the past, my work was exhibited for the primary time, and that was additionally at Marzee. I used to be each delighted and intimidated that the Cleopatra of jewellery gallery homeowners needed me to be a part of her annual exhibition that includes younger artists graduating from jewellery artwork faculties.

Ted Noten, rings from the Be Nice to a Girl, Buy Her a Ring project, 2011, photo courtesy of the artist. A machine designed by Noten dispensed ready-made rings fabricated in China that he had painted red. — Ted Noten, rings from the *Be Good to a Woman, Purchase Her a Ring* undertaking, 2011, picture courtesy of the artist. A machine designed by Noten allotted ready-made rings fabricated in China that he had painted crimson.

Crimson Mild Design (2011) had solely been seen in a ebook earlier than it was offered at this exhibition. Inform us extra concerning the undertaking.

Ted Noten: This undertaking was a response to the try to “clear up” Amsterdam that 12 months. By way of the ages, Amsterdam had been referred to as town of free love, medication, strolling on the darkish facet of life, and for its red-light district. The federal government needed to vary town’s picture by giving components of the prostitutes’ homes to artists in an effort to create a unique vibe.

A beautiful concept, though I didn’t like taking on another person’s office—the prostitutes’. The federal government gave me a gorgeous classical Amsterdam home, 4 flooring leaning towards one of many oldest church buildings in the course of town, and provided me a free playground. I arrange two studios there, together with three residency areas for artists. In a manner, I used to be eliminating another person’s alternative to make a residing.

As a response, I designed a machine outdoors my studio from which individuals may purchase a crimson ring for €2.50, offered underneath the tagline: “Be good to a woman, purchase her a hoop.” Think about a husband coming dwelling each Friday with flowers for his spouse. I needed to supply the district’s prospects a equally symbolic gesture.

The undertaking offered out—round 7,500 to 10,000 items. The prostitutes, nonetheless, didn’t just like the memento. They thought-about it an insult: a praise value solely €2.50? They might throw the rings out onto the road, and I discovered them in all places.

My studio there was solely short-term, for 2 years, and in the long run the district remained about 80 p.c occupied by prostitutes.

(Left) Ted Noten, The Muse, unique ring in 18-karat gold, signed by the artist, (right) infographic illustrating the price of gold on the New York stock exchange. This ring appears on Noten’s website—until it's sold!—along with the graphic. The ring’s price updates every 10 seconds as the market fluctuates, and the graphic is also continuously updated in real time. — (Left) Ted Noten, *The Muse,* distinctive ring in 18-karat gold, signed by the artist, (proper) infographic illustrating the value of gold on the New York inventory change. This ring seems on Noten’s web site—till it’s offered!—together with the graphic. The ring’s worth updates each 10 seconds because the market fluctuates, and the graphic can be repeatedly up to date in actual time.

Your work is commonly politically charged, addressing present points, energy buildings, and market programs. Select one piece from the exhibition that displays the worldwide geopolitical context of the previous three to 4 years, and inform us why.

Ted Noten: The Muse. It was a part of a sequence of works I created across the theme Haunted by 36 Ladies. (Observe: It is a sequence of 36 “portrait-archetypes” of ladies offered as object-collages: for instance, a femme fatale, a reserved lady, a feminist, a fashionista, and others. The works had been constructed utilizing discovered objects. Noten then created smaller variations of the large-scale artworks as jewellery items.)

The sculpture which inspired Noten depicts a girl after bathing. It was mass-produced in the Soviet Union by the Leningrad porcelain factory in the middle of the twentieth century. Statues varied in height, usually from 4–17 ¾ inches (10–45 cm),https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AFigurine-girl_after_bathing._The_Leningrad_porcelain_factory._The_Soviet_porcelain.1960_th_years-.JPG — The sculpture which impressed Noten depicts a woman after bathing. It was mass-produced within the Soviet Union by the Leningrad porcelain manufacturing facility in the course of the 20 th century. Statues different in top, normally from 4–17 ¾ inches (10–45 cm),
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Filepercent3AFigurine-girl_after_bathing._The_Leningrad_porcelain_factory._The_Soviet_porcelain.1960_th_years-.JPG

The determine is a reproduction of a statue I purchased in Moscow. To me, she represented the muse. Again in 2012, the ring value round €9,500. Now it prices roughly €21,000. You should purchase it at any time—however nobody has ever despatched me a request.

The cover and a spread from the book Ted: Thirty-six Years on the Move / aka Route 36, with concept, design, and illustrations by Into Niilo, photo: Elena Karpilova — The duvet of and a selection from the ebook *Ted: Thirty-six Years on the Transfer / aka Route 36,* with idea, design, and illustrations by Into Niilo, picture: Elena Karpilova

Inform us concerning the artwork ebook Ted: Thirty-six Years on the Transfer / aka Route 36, which accompanies the exhibition.[1]

Ted Noten: It makes extra sense for Into Niilo to reply as a result of it was their concept!

Into Niilo: It felt to me {that a} common catalog is easy-peasy and too boring. For fairly some time I had been serious about a graphic novel memoir. And with this exhibition it felt like the right timing. It was the perfect scenario to provide Ted’s storytelling visible kind. We had been tremendous compressed concerning time however we made it occur. In 5 weeks—loopy!

A page from the book Ted: Thirty-six Years on the Move / aka Route 36, by Into Niilo, showing an artist’s rendition of Ted Noten’s Gold Cock Ring, deliberately blurred to retain the client’s anonymity, photo courtesy of Elena Karpilova. The cock ring is in a private collection and is not being exhibited in the show. A photo not included in the book for reasons of privacy. — A web page from the ebook *Ted: Thirty-six Years on the Transfer / aka Route 36,* by Into Niilo, displaying an artist’s rendition of Ted Noten’s *Gold Cock Ring,* intentionally blurred to retain the shopper’s anonymity, picture courtesy of Elena Karpilova. The cock ring is in a personal assortment and isn’t being exhibited within the present. A photograph shouldn’t be included within the ebook for causes of privateness.

The ebook comprises details about a undertaking referred to as Personal Correspondence (2015). Inform us about it.

Ted Noten: A shopper commissioned me to make a gold cock ring. He invited me to his nation and requested me to return take the measurements myself—very like the way in which tailors within the Center Ages would journey to kings to take their measurements. I declined. As an alternative, I advised that he measure his head—the one on prime of his neck! I instructed him to go to a physician, have it scanned, and ship me the size so I may create a 3D mannequin of it. My concept was to put a miniature model of his head on the ring.

I did make his head in 3D—however I additionally made my very own. And earlier than sending him the ultimate piece, I mailed him a hoop topped with a miniature model of my head. When he noticed my head sitting on his cock ring, he was livid! “Don’t fear,” I instructed him. “You may merely unscrew my head and screw on the 3D model of yours.” Just a few days later, I despatched him the miniature of his personal head.

Two years of playful, ironic correspondence adopted. Over the course of our exchanges, he ended up commissioning seven items from me.

There’s a piece on the finish of the ebook referred to as Ten Avenue Wisdoms/Ted Commandments. One in every of them—the primary—states: “Thou shalt see jewelry as a legitimization of being human.” Elaborate on this.

Ted Noten: Nicely, there aren’t any different residing creators as numerous as people—together with rational, emotional, conventional, ritual, and plenty of different motivations.

However some are extra ingenious creators than we’re. David Attenborough taught me concerning the animal world and its huge creativeness in adorning itself and creating eventualities to draw females.

And why do you particularly point out jewellery as a legitimization of being human? Not structure, for instance?

Ted Noten: If a bird-of-paradise provides red-colored parts to its ‘“theater,” I relate it extra to jewellery than to structure. Why? Out of affection for my playground.

In your opinion, what ought to be taught in jewellery faculties—and the way—in order that the sector can transcend craftsmanship alone?

Ted Noten: The one manner is to grow to be a baby once more!

So which of your personal works would you name essentially the most childlike?

Ted Noten: Turbo Princess.

Share some recommendation your academics/mentors/older colleagues gave you that really caught with you and that you simply nonetheless apply at this time.

Ted Noten: The honorable Onno Boekhoudt sat beside me on the Gerrit Rietveld Academy whereas he noticed me making a hoop. I nonetheless had the mindset of a craftsperson—making it excellent meant shiny, with no scratches, an over-the-top aesthetic. He requested if he may do one thing to my ring, and mentioned that if I didn’t prefer it, he would restore it again to the unique. He scratched the ring on the concrete ground, then gave it again to me—and instantly the ring felt alive. I nonetheless get goosebumps remembering that second.

Ted Noten in his studio, in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, photo: mister AA — Ted Noten in his studio, in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, picture: mister AA

What recommendation would you give to younger jewelers?

Ted Noten: Purchase a hoop at a jewellery store, change it into an artwork ring, after which promote it for triple the quantity. I did it!

Has anybody ever stolen your design or concept?

Ted Noten: Sure, and I’ve all the time felt honored when folks stole my concepts.

Ted Noten, White + White, from the Ted Meets Joost Lyppens series, 2009, bracelet in diamonds (8.35 carat), cast in acrylic, photo: artist — Ted Noten, *White + White,* from the *Ted Meets Joost Lyppens* sequence, 2009, bracelet in diamonds (8.35 carat), solid in acrylic, picture: artist

What’s among the best commissions you’ve acquired?

Ted Noten: The very best factor that ever occurred in my profession was when one of many largest jewellery shops in Amsterdam handed me an nearly embarrassingly giant bag stuffed with diamonds. They trusted me with a fortune in stones and requested me to create a sequence of Ted Meets Joost bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings.

As soon as the items offered, we might break up the earnings 50-50. The shop proprietor commissioned me as a result of he revered my totally different strategy to jewellery, and, as a businessman, he additionally noticed the potential to achieve new markets.

What has the most important affect on modern jewellery at this time?

Ted Noten: Conflicts—within the broadest definition of the phrase.

The opinions said right here don’t essentially specific these of AJF.

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[1] To order a ebook contact Galerie Marzee: mail@marzee.nl or +31 (0)24 322 9670