Movement and light in contemporary jewellery
- Yoko and Pietro make movement-inspired lightweight artistic jewellery
- Geometric forms and unconventional materials define their aesthetic
- Research and experimentation are key to their practice
When Yoko Takirai embarked on her jewellery making journey, she never imagined it would lead to a magical creative partnership. Armed with her West Virginia University degree and prestigious training at Le Arti Orafe and Florence's Istituto d'Arte, where she mastered goldsmith techniques, Yoko discovered her calling in contemporary jewellery. During a pivotal jewellery exhibition, she met her partner artisan Pietro Pellitteri, sparking the foundation of their studio in 2002. Together, Yoko and Pietro transform precious metals into geometric poetry, blending minimalism with an exploration of materials. "Our pieces question space and movement, as well as assumptions about mass and texture," says Yoko. "Creating these lightweight sculptures is our way of bridging traditional craftsmanship and innovative tools," adds Pietro.
INTERVIEW
Yoko: Nature, architecture and human movement inspire us. Each piece results from a meticulous process, starting with an idea, followed by planning and prototyping. This allows us to capture emotion and shape movement in our designs.
Pietro: We use innovative materials such as stainless steel, iron and pigments to explore new textures and possibilities. Through experimentation and research, we have learned to process these materials to push creative boundaries and craft unique pieces.
Pietro: The most time-consuming part of our process is the experimentation phase, when we test and refine materials and techniques. Yoko: This stage is essential to understand how materials behave and ensure the final product meets our creative vision and functional requirements.
Yoko: We use a combination of traditional equipment alongside new technology to create our jewellery. While traditional tools allow for craftsmanship, new technology helps enhance our creative process.
