Rings That Rock and Roll. Kinetic Jewelry By Michael Berger.

above: Stainless Steel kinetic ring with 14 brilliant cut diamonds

Most kinetic (moving) jewelry is downright ugly. But these modern rings by Michael Berger are definitely an exception. Geometric shapes in brushed and polished golds or stainless steel, some set with fine gems, diamonds or Tahitian Pearls, sit upon the finger like little moving sculptures. I love how the shanks are all unusually shaped as well.



The Johannasberg born and now Germany-based Berger assisted and worked with Friedrich Becker (1922-97), the inventor of kinetic jewellery, for many years before he began designing his own.

Stainless Steel:

Stainless Steel and Stainless Steel with Peridot:

18k gold with 12 brilliant cut diamonds:

18k gold with 12 brilliant cut diamonds:

Stainless Steel or 18k gold with a Tahitian pearl:

Blackened Stainless Steel with 18k white gold and 12 brilliant cut diamonds:

Blackened Stainless Steel with 18k white gold and 14 brilliant cut diamonds:

Stainless Steel with Mandarin Garnet:

Peridot in stainless steel and blackened steel:

Stainless Steel with and without Citrine:

Stainless steel and 18k gold:

Tahitian pearl rings and combinations of stainless steel and 18k gold:


Goldsmith Michael Berger:

some of his rings on display:


Atelier Berger
Michael Berger
Columbusstraße 16
40549 Düsseldorf

Photography Legend Matthew Rolston Shoots For America's Next Top Model

the above Matthew Rolston photo of Ann was deemed the winner by the collective panel of judges
For those who don't tune into ANTM (that's America's Next Top Model for you non-watchers), you wouldn't be aware of how the show has upped the creativity quotient for their 15th cycle.

They've enlisted more impressive photographers and judges than in previous cycles, have wrangled a Vogue Italia spread and cover of their Beauty supplement as part of the winner's package and in the episodes that have aired thus far, seem to be taking the creative art of modeling a bit more seriously. Don't fret, the cat-fights, insipid conversation and petty drama within the modern beachfront Venice house still occur.


above: photographer Matthew Rolston

Wednesday night's episode featured legendary beauty photographer Matthew Rolston as both a photographer and a judge. Rolston chose to style the models as underwater mermaids and placed them along with diamonds, pearls and sea life beneath a plexiglass case filled with water. For many of the models, it was their best shot of the season, not surprisingly.



For the more discriminating folks who may consider this reality television entertainment a waste of time, let me just share with you the portraits shot by Matthew Rolston of cycle 15's remaining contestants. You may very well decide to start tuning in.


the above photo of Chris was Matthew Rolston's personal favorite

I don't know if these young and beautiful women realize that this may be the only time in their potential careers that they are ever shot by the likes of Matthew. Never again may they be in front of the lens of such a reputable and respected photographer, so I hope they cherish the following photos and place them in their portfolios forever (except for Chelsey and Liz whose photos, although beautifully shot, are not flattering).

Kacey:

Esther:

Kendal:

Lexie:

Kayla:

Jane:

Liz:

Chelsey:

Rhianna, below, was elimated in this episode, due to purported lack of versatility:

photos courtesy of Matthew Rolston/Pottle Productions Inc ©2010 Pottle Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Images of the prep for the underwater shoot:






About the show this season
The show features Tyra Banks and gives real young women of various backgrounds, shapes and sizes an opportunity to prove that they can make it in the high-stress, high-stakes world of high fashion supermodeling.


America's Next Top Model - Cycle 15 Pictured: (front row) Kayla, Chelsey, Kendal, Ann, Esther, Lexie, Liz, Jane (back row) Kacey, Sara, Free, Anamaria, Chris, Terra Photo Credit: Jessica Brooks /Pottle Productions © 2010 Pottle Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Lending their expertise as guest judges during this high fashion cycle are designer Diane Von Furstenberg, designer/stylist Patricia Field ("Sex and the City"), top beauty photographer Matthew Rolston, supermodel Karolina Kurkova, top fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini, designer Zac Posen, designer/model Margherita Missoni, IMG Models executive Kyle Hagler, Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and designer Roberto Cavalli.

Banks leads the panel of judges, comprised of influential fashion editor Andre Leon Talley and photographer Nigel Barker. Jay Manuel serves as the photo shoot creative director, while Miss J Alexander returns as the runway trainer.

The prize package has also been given a high-fashion makeover. The winner of Cycle 15 will receive a career-launching package, including a contract with IMG Models, one of the top international modeling management companies in the world; a fashion spread in Vogue Italia and an additional spread and cover of Beauty in Vogue; and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics.

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment, in association with Bankable Productions. Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Laura Fuest ("Pit Boss").

Matthew Rolston books

Zac Freeman's Amazing Portraits Made With The Stuff In Your Junk Drawer.

You know all that stuff you either toss away of throw in the kitchen 'junk' drawer? Buttons, old remote controls, pen caps, paper clips, Altoid tins, Lego Minifigs, wire, plastic bits and pieces from lord-knows-what? Well those are precisely what artist Zac Freeman uses in creating these one of a kind portraits.


above: portrait of Jerry and Jerry detail

Beginning in 1999, Zac began collecting junk, found objects, and general trash which he then glued to wooden substrate to form an image -- in these cases, faces of men and women. His assemblage artworks are made on a large scale (the pieces average about 28" by 35") and when viewed close up look like crap cobbled together with a hot glue gun, but when viewed from afar are impressive, compelling and simply beautiful portraits.


above: Zac Freeman's portrait of Garrett (detail) and mouth (close-up)

His finished works combine the best aesthetic qualities of Chuck Close and Bernard Pras and that's saying something.

Garrett:

Garrett (detail):

Holly:

Holly (detail):

Ryan:

Ryan (detail):

Courtney:

Courtney (detail):

Bryan:

Bryan (detail):

Vince:

Vince(detail):

The artist's self portrait:

detail:


David, below, is his recent addition to the Woolff Gallery:

Zac at work in his studio:


above two images courtesy of Woolff Gallery

In the artist's own words:
"I was interested in communicating through visual representation in apparent 2-dimensional space and through the actual objects used for the medium in 3-dimensional space. It is very important to me that I incorporate the actual objects into the art as opposed to a picture or rendition of it because it better expresses the intention of the artwork. I feel the junk is more powerful being present. It is an actual thing to be reckoned with that existed in this time and place and carries energy in and of itself."

all images courtesy of the artist
Zac Freeman Art

For commission requests or inquiries about Zac's work please contact Nick Woolff of the Woolff Gallery.