It was during one of our digital rabbit hole warren-like journeys that we chanced upon Czech illustrator and sculptor Klára Pernicová’s e-store and found ourselves confusedly face-to-face with a pair of ears – which Klára was wearing in her bob as a pair of hair slides.
The most disarming part of these ear ‘bobbie pins’ – which come in caucasian and black skin tone – were how real they looked. Filled with curiosity – why? how? – we got in touch with the 29-year-old artist, Klára, to discuss her progressive take on the humble hair bow and why she aims to disarm people with her jewellery.
The Debrief: Hi, Klara! So why did you decide to start making hair slides shaped like ears?
Klará Pernicová: The bobbie pin ears are part of my accessories line called ‘Natural Jewellery’* (price on request for all pieces.)* We are surrounded by artificial accessories (metal rings, chains, etc) and I wanted to point out that we already have some kind of ‘native jewels’ on our body. Look at the ear. It is no different to many of the things which have been used as an inspiration source for jewellery makers. Why can’t the ear be a jewel, too?
DB: Were they difficult to make?
KP: I modelled them on my own ear and now I have a mould. But it does still take some time to make each piece.
DB: We’re really fascinated. What’s the main objective? Art and art alone?
KP: I am interested in art with social commentary. I’d like people to think about how they decorate themselves and find similarities between the artificial, the natural and the ugly aspects of beauty. It’s also a bit of a joke as well. I think fashion has to be a bit funny!**
**
DB: Are there other accessories in this series?
KP: Yes. I like to celebrate the borderline between a beautiful accessory, a natural part of the body and even an ugly blemish on the skin, and I made all my accessories based on this borderline. For example, there’s also a tick earring, a pimple piercing and a zip fastener for a pair of trousers that is shaped like a tiny penis! I also make ‘animal organs,’ such as a backpack that looks like a camel hump and a funny bag which is shaped like a cow’s udder.
DB: Have you had a lot of people buying them?
KP: Not that many, no. My family and friends love what I make, but they are not always able to wear it! It tends to be middle-aged women, rather than girls, who knows she wants something special. A man recently bought a tick earring for himself to wear.
DB: We can see that it may be tricky to pull off. So what’s next?
KP: Lots of new ideas for jewellery. I think about decorating the body in a very specific way – and I hope others will join me!
Follow Pandora on Twitter @pinsykes
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.