Top – Bent Multicopy rings, 2009. 925 silver, by Cinnamon Lee. Bottom – Hexar rings, 2010. 925 silver, cold enamel. Photo by John Lee.

Top left – Dark Secret ring, 2009. 925 silver, oxidised. Top left – Secret Cross ring 3D drawing. Bottom – Secret Hearts ring clean up.


Today I‘ve been given the immense privilege to share with you a brief snapshot of my practice. So big thanks to yellowtrace mastermind and an all round awesome lady Dana.

A little about myself perhaps… I’m a Sydney based contemporary jewellery an object designer, gallerist and retailer. My gallery and studio, Metalab has just celebrated its 6th birthday and our retail store COTA (Courtesy of the Artist) is currently being decked out with a new interior. The relaunch is scheduled for mid-April… so please look out for it. As a specialist gallery, we are fortunate to work with some truly gifted and very inspiring individuals. One such person is resident Metalab artist and designer Cinnamon Lee.

It took some 5 years and lots of carrots to entice Cinnamon to return home to Sydney and to begin a new chapter in her career. Now that she’s back, Cinnamon has been busily making new works for exhibition, collaborations, lighting commissions and custom jewellery.


Top – Photon #2 (detail) 2010. Anodised aluminium, Monel, HBLEDs, electronics. Bottom images – Photon #2 (3 configurations) 2010. Anodised aluminium, Monel, HBLEDs, electronics. Photos by John Lee.


Cinnamon’s jewellery is designed to exploit the unique technical capabilities of 3D modelling and rapid prototyping technology to create intricate geometric structures. Primarily working on rings for the finger, these mini-structures are like formal exercises in geometry and repetition. Always peppered with wit and a lightness of touch they are finished to some very exacting tolerances. Often the ornamental details of these rings morph form one motif on the outside to something completely different on the inside. These hidden symbols remain hidden from view so that they remain a secret for the wearer.


Top – Photon #1 (4 configurations) 2010. Anodised aluminium, Monel, HBLEDs, electronics. Photo by Johannes Kuhnen.


Cinnamon was initially drawn to lighting design as means to shift in scale and to explore the potential of working with the built environment as a site. Her latest investigation into new lighting technologies saw her produce a significant body of work titled “Twilight”. We featured the complete exhibition at Metalab in 2010. Most of the pieces in that show have since found a new home, one in particular calls The National Gallery of Australia it’s new residence, having being collected as part of it’s permanent collection of the decorative arts.


Photon #1 (detail) 2010. Anodised aluminium, Monel, HBLEDs, electronics. Photo by John Lee.

Photon – images of construction details and work in progress.


Most recently Cinnamon has employed the use of proximity sensors for touch-less switching and micro-controllers for more complex responsive interactivity. The interactive nature of these objects delighted all of those fortunate to have seen them. For those that didn’t get a chance to see them in the flesh… check out this awesome video our friend Tim Kreibig made of Twilight.

 

Top – Phototaxis (detail) 2010. Stainless steel, aluminum, multi-chip LEDs, electronics. Bottom left – Phototaxis construction detail. Bottom right – Thunderstruck, 2010. Stainless steel, aluminum, 925 silver, multi-chip LEDs, electronics. Photo by John Lee.


Alternatively, a new CL masterpiece, complete with proximity sensor interactivity can be seen at COTA in April. Cinnamon will also be exhibiting a new range of rings at Metalab in June 2011.

Thanks for reading.

Cheers, Cesar.

For a more info on Cinnamon, check out her website and her interview on Metalab blog.

Local stockists info:

Metalab | 10b Fitzroy Place Surry Hills NSW 2010.
COTA | Level 2, Shop 124, The Strand Arcade Sydney NSW 2000.

 

[All images courtesy of the artist, unless otherwise noted.]



About The Author

Founder & Editor

With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

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