Paul Adie looks back on his AiR stay in Idar-Oberstein

During his stay at the Gemstone and Jewellery Campus and the Jakob Bengel industrial monument, Adie intensively studied the processing of stones and the materials aluminium and galalith used by the former jewellery and chain factory for the production of costume jewellery.

Adie writes:

"I came to Idar-Oberstein without much of an idea of what I wanted to do – some new pieces would be good – but, of course, I wanted to work with stone. Why come to the “stone valley” and not attempt to master the local material? I walked around the hills enveloping the city, found jasper and agate and got to work. My results with stone volumes were rather disappointing – they reminded me of older series and I quickly changed to working flatter; 3D shapes melted into 2D planes. Stone did not want to whisper its secrets to me...

Instead, I found more success with other local materials – reconstituted stone and galalith. The 38-tonne press at Bengel was thrilling – after a few hours, I was hooked. The factory reminded me of my grandad and his garage, full of tools and trinkets, cool and dark. I was already used to working with aluminium, but this time I took chains and mashed them together, fixing them with sparkly glue, resins and nail varnish. Yes, I came to the stone valley and ended up working with plastic. And I loved it!

Now, as I near the end of my 3 months here, I realise the residency gave me something more valuable than material – it helped me to understand my own process more clearly. I came wanting to carve out shapes, but leave understanding that often the work shapes itself and I should enjoy the freedom to follow where the process leads. 

I’m leaving with lots of colourful blocks, samples and many new friendships. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. I look forward to seeing you again!"