Making a Record (Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald) : Melissa Dubbin & Aaron S. Davidson

Making a Record
(Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald)
2009-2013

Audio interviews, electroplated records, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, 22k gold, texts and photographs. Dimensions and configurations variable.

View 2013 exhibition at Audio Visual Arts

Making a Record (Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald) centers around a series of four interviews the artists conducted in 2009 with gemologist and jewelry designer Karen L. Davidson, talking about the stones used to record her voice. The artists made lithic tools from the four gemstones and etched a series of unique lathe-cut dub plates of each interview. Each of the four gemstone styli were given to Karen to use as elements in four pieces she designed. These handmade pieces are composed of the stylus, crystal slices or stones in their natural states, cut gems and 22k gold. Each of the four pieces can be worn as a pendant.

Sofía Hernández Chong Cuy, Pierre Huyghe, Marina Warner and Jamieson Webster were invited by the artists to listen to the records and wear the pendants, exhibiting them for varied lengths of time. The information contained on the records was transmitted through casual conversations and occurrences that took place during their daily lives. A record of these instances has been contributed by each individual.

This project received generous support from the New York State Council on the Arts.

Listen to audio interviews with Karen L. Davidson:

Ruby, 13:07 minutes

Emerald, 12:12 minutes

Diamond, 14:56 minutes

Sapphire, 16:45 minutes

Download texts here:

Jamieson Webster, Diamond
Marina Warner, Ruby
Sofía Hernández Chong Cuy, Emerald
Pierre Huyghe, Sapphire

Installation view from exhibition: Audio Visual Arts (AVA), NYC