American Craft Magazine | Boris Bally's Humanufactured Objects

Boris Bally's Humanufactured Objects

BY Elizabeth Ryan

Decor Design Fashion Found Objects Metal | May. 27, 2011 | 0 Comments

[1/5] Brave No. 2 (necklace), 2006; 24 1/2 x 12 x 1 1/8"; 2 lbs-5 oz.; 750 yellow gold, 5mm white sapphire, 100 handgun triggers (steel), .925 silver, steel cable; HUMANUFACTURED; (hand-fabricated, cuttlebone casting, riveted); photo: Aaron Usher III; model: Feyi O; Museum of Art and Design, NYC (pc no.13514.1); (dedicated to Alex Schaffner) my Swiss Goldsmith "Apprentice Master"

[2/5] Ladder: Bulldozer (4-piece place-setting), 2001; overall 9 3/8 x 2 1/16 x 1/2"; silver, oxidized brass; HUMANUFACTURED; (hand-fabricated, pressed); photo: Jeff Johnson; commissioned by Michael & Marylou DiGrassie, Staunton, VA

[3/5] Truss Loader/Beam Dozer (serving pieces), 2008; truss:23 5/8" long x 4" (with wires 5") x 1 1/2" off table, beam: 19" long x 3 9/16" x 2 1/2" off table; .925 silver, brass; HUMANUFACTURED; (hand-fabricated, cold-joined, oxidized)

[4/5] Suspension Ring, 2001; 1 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 7/16"; .925 silver, 22k yellow gold; HUMANUFACTURED; (hand-fabricated, riveted, burnished); photo: Boris Bally

[5/5] Leaf Bling Ring (three-finger ring), 2004; 2" tall x 5" long x 9/16" wide; .925 silver, recycled aluminum truck placard, 22k gold; HUMANUFACTURED; (hand fabricated, cold-joined); photo: Boris Bally; model: Jay Nadeau

Boris Bally's sophisticated reinvention of reclaimed street signs and found objects will rattle your mind. Bally transforms traffic signs into everything from entirely modern furniture to sleek jewelry and home decor items -- and even flatware! My favorite piece is a necklace created with 100 handgun triggers from Pittsburgh's "Goods for Guns" program. It's Bally's spin on the talismanic charms of aboriginal cultures, and he says, "this urban 'mojo' protects the wearer from the gun violence so prevalent in today's culture."

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