Chloé Durand

“In god’s name”

France, 2009

Brooch

Materials:

Brass and brass cartridges bullets

Techniques:

Solder, Laser engrave

Artist Statement:

Constantly, our eyes are riveted on the

Middle East which is a burning issue at the

moment. This part of the world is a

strategic place, where are mixed black gold

race, territory and religion problems. Thus,

I took an interest in these topics and

worked on religious fanaticism. I

questioned myself about how spiritual and

moral blindness can be the cause of many

wars and mass murders.

I chose to realize a brooch, because this

jewel is for me the best way to express an

idea, to take a stand or to put a finger on a

specific subject. This piece of jewelry can be

assimilated to a badge or an illustrated t-

shirt: the jewel becomes a messenger. My

brooch is made up with brass cartridges

bullets.

Mark of violence and war, cartridges are

the witness of what’s left after the bullet is

fired.

A hallmark of Catholic, Muslim or Jewish

religion is engraved on each one.

Cartridges are soldered on a heart-shape

which is the symbol of love advocated at the

beginning by these religions. The

seriousness of fanaticism is symbolized by

the confrontation of a “ready made”

creation and a traditional shiny piece of

jewelry.

"In God's name".

What was your starting point or your

inspiration for doing this project?

My starting point was the problem of

religious fanaticism. In God's name,

Humans can act in a terrible way: their

madness and violence is just considerable!

Fanaticism can drive us insane and it is

very frightening to see that there is no limit

in the atrocity of Human acts.

Do you have a personal (or other)

connection to the exhibition’s theme?

I think that everybody has to feel concerned

by the situation in the Middle East. This

territory is a border with Asia, Africa, and

Europe: it is the junction where collide

politics, territorial, religious and cultural

stakes. This place is the symbol of Men

history and culture: it is our History...

What were the main reasons for choosing

the materials, shapes or technique in your

work?

I often use object diversion to illustrate my

ideas. In that way, the understanding of a

message is easier and much more stronger.

Cartridges bullets set in heart arrangement,

religious symbols engraved on cartridges

bullets... These contradictions make us

realize the impact of religious fanaticism.

What kind of feeling you wish the viewers

will get from your work?

People have to be called by this jewel which

intrigues them and thus made think, ask

questions.