Contemporary Jewellery x AI <> Crafts =?

Abstract

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into contemporary jewellery practices, questions arise around materiality, wearability, and the evolving roles of artists and algorithms, among others. While many academic publications on AI and jewellery explore AI as a tool to enhance efficiency when designing and manufacturing jewellery for broad consumer appeal and commercial markets, this lecture addresses its broader implications for artistic, contemporary jewellery practices. Drawing from my postdoctoral research and interviews with artists Silvia Weidenbach, Yarina Dai, Mala Siamptani, Jonathan Mathew Boyd, and Patrícia Domingues, the talk investigates how working with AI in contemporary jewellery impacts authorship, creative languages, and the role and significance of crafts. This presentation aims to contribute to critical debates on the future of crafts in a post-digital age by exploring key themes, including the material translation of digital imagery, curatorial decision-making, and ethical and educational considerations.