Bookmark jewelry design

 "My precious bookmark" is Elena Crisan's latest exhibition in her hometown. In fact, she has moved to Germany a couple of years back, and this is the first official return to Cluj. I find the idea rather original: a collection of jewelry bookmarks (original design, handmade silver and sometimes precious stones) presented during a book fest. All book lovers and thus invited to expand and nurture their passion with such exquisite accessories.
In order to see more of her work, there is a good website for that: http://www.elenacrisan.ro 

 

VISCERAL ELIXIR

In the field of apothecary, elixirs are sweetened aromatic substances, based on alcohol or water, containing medicinal substances. The word was adopted in Medieval Latin from the Arabic al iksir, used mainly for alchemical procedures. The best known kind is the Elixir of Life that the alchemist attempted to produce in order to gain immortality. In the 16th century elixirs were strong tonics or even universal drugs and in the 17th century the name was given to many fake miraculous medicines, due to its historical associations.

 The Visceral Elixir is a bitter, digestive tonic, first prepared by Friedrich Hoffmann (1660-1742), a German doctor known for his medicine and chemistry courses at the newly founded University of Halle. Also known as Hoffmann’s Elixir, the product contains extract of Cnicus Benedictus, orange peel, chamomile, cinnamon, wormwood, and potassium carbonate, left to macerate in wine for 36 hours (Malaga, Jerez, and Tokai wines were recommended). As the name of the elixir indicates, it was meant to ease one’s digestion.

The glass jar in the History of Pharmacy Collection of Cluj is dated to the end of the 18th century and was preserved in the old St. George’s pharmacy in Cluj (in this very location). It is part of a series of jars for liquids with similar Baroque decoration (crown, volutes, and circular cartouche). The restored signature contains the inscription in black and red letters against a white background. The item was produced in Transylvania.

Rudeness in art

I believe art is allowed to be offensive and rude, but only when there are aesthetic and ideological reasons behind. Rudeness for rudeness sake got somehow outdated :)
Here is a brief selection of what I mean, in an Etsy Treasury entitled Offensive, naked, organic, rude

Atelierul de istorie

Our online shop is almost two-years old and its doing good for such a young age :))

In 2008 apARTe and VIRTVS ANTIQVA NGOs have started collaborating for an online shop that presents original artworks and handmade products inspired by the civilizations of Antiquity, mainly Dacian and Roman, employing as much as possible natural materials such as leather, textile, ceramics, metal, and glass. The "History Studio" / aka Atelierul de istorie, has been present at several reenactment festivals and events in Romania and is very active online.

Piggy art

I had some fun on Etsy compiling a swine treasury :) I never knew pigs were such sought-for models for art representations, but it seems they are very much loved, painted, drawn, sewn, carved etc. This might have something to do with pigs as good luck charms in some cultures, or simply with he ambivalence of aesthetic and ugly that one can find in the species...

Introducing Vivi

Another favorite artist - this time specializing in jewelry design - is Viviana Tosa, my good friend and former studio colleague. She has been active in ceramics initially, but then she discovered silver and.. there it was, love at first sight and dedication+hard work for the sights that followed since! 
I shall show you here (just half bragging) the special ring she made for me, thus the title :) Forana

Forana - original silver finger ring

She designs and processes various jewelry items from top to bottom: from silver powder to alloyed silver plate, cutting, soldering, polishing, finishing - sometimes adding color and patina, depending on the case.

Viviana at work in her studio

To see her work and her methods, see her website, at www.vivianatosa.ro

Introducing dad

I'd like to introduce you my dad, Marin Gruia, a classical and impressionist-inspired, sensitive painter. He started with pastel and then upgraded to oil on canvas. Acrylic did not seem to suit him that much.
As for the subject matter, his artistic feeling is best suited for still nature (flowers) and landscapes. His favorite formats are small, miniatures and average-size paintings. He pays special attention to the framing of his works, even experimenting with creating frame textures himself.
See more about him and his works on his website HERE. He has managed to make a name for himself and to set a certain quota for his works, so as most local art galleries are promoting him and people happen to ask for "a Gruia". I hope there might be some confusion some day, and I might "steal" some of the name-related glory :)

About BEZOARS at the History of Pharmacy Collection

Bezoars are famous antidotes, talked about since Antiquity as effective against all poisons. They are in fact lumps of undigested organic matter sometimes formed in the digestive tract of humans and animals (but mostly goats). The History of Pharmacy Collection in Cluj-Napoca includes jars for bezoar powders (preserving the contents!) and an eighteenth-century apothecary inventory mentioning the use of Oriental and Occidental bezoars and of Sennert's powder - a rich mix of ingredients among which Oriental Bezoars.

Harry Potter's fans from Cluj-Napoca and Transylvania will be delighted to know that a small preview of the forthcoming exhibition (Harry Potter and the True History of Pharmacy, due November 2015) is available at the History of Pharmacy Collection this month. The FOCUS group is dedicated to BEZOAR stones, powders and mixed products.
Stay in touch at http://farmacluj.blogspot.ro/

Etsy treasuries

...are a great way to collect thinks you love, to have possible sources of inspiration close by, and to share them with others. Here is one of mine, in which I delighted in the texture of fossilized/petrified materials, mostly bone: 

The charming Pharmacy Museum of Cluj

All info available at http://farmacluj.blogspot.ro/

The History of Pharmacy collection in Cluj-Napoca is one of the most charmful places in town. It appropriately presents the history of the discipline in one of the oldest apothecaries in Transylvania, preserving the structure of the rooms: the Officina, where drugs were sold, the most decorated, preserving the Baroque wall painting; the laboratory, reconstructed in the basement, and teo storage rooms for ingredients.

ETSY SHOP

Magazinul Etsy

I hereby invite you to view my newly created shop on Esty, that includes artworks in various techniques (oil painting, acrylic painting, linocuts, and mixed techniques) and carved leather handmade items (wallets and card holders). Some of them are inspired by the province I was born, Transylvania (Romania). I confess I am now spending a lot of time posting, linking, and activating in teams, but it is fascinating place!