In addition to teaching at RISD, Donna Bilak teaches jewelry studies at Pratt and history of early modern science and technology to humanities and STEM students at NYU and Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Her research combines workbench and archive to examine the interplay of culture and technology (and vice versa) as drivers of environmental change. She co-directs the Future of Jewelry Research Accelerator (with Brice Garrett) at Pratt’s Brooklyn Navy Yard and directs the materials research group Active Matter. Current projects include developing a biomimetic environmental art installation on Governors Island (with Farzad Mahootian, NYU) and conducting experimental research in re-creating imitation gemstones (vitrified metals and minerals) based on 17th-century alchemical recipes.
Times: T | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PMInstructor(s): Donna BilakLocation(s): Design Center, Room 211Enrolled / Capacity: 15Status: Closed
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This history seminar provides an overview of personal adornment in both western and non-western cultures. The goal is for the student to gain a deeper understanding of the history of jewelry and the context in which the objects are placed. The course is structured around weekly, thematic slide presentations that are supported by visits to RISD Museum collections, local research facilities and fieldtrips. Readings and class discussions examine topics such as placement of value (spiritual, material, social, sentimental) and how these are reflected in the contemporary field. Class projects focus on strengthening research and presentation skills.
Students are pre-registered for this course by the department; registration is not available in Workday. Enrollment is limited to Sophomore Jewelry + Metalsmithing Students.
Major Requirement | BFA Jewelry + Metalsmithing
Wintersession 2025 Courses
JM 2110-101 - PEARL LAB: ONLY WITH AGITATION, COMES GROWTH
The Pearl LAB wintersession course, 'Only with Agitation, Comes Growth', will focus on the pearl as a subject of inquiry and material experimentation. Students will be divided into research groups to explore and exploit the material potential and properties of the pearl as well as to challenge its convention and agency as a cultured object and precious jewel. Through a significant pearl donation to the J+M department, students will be provided a selection of pearls for both experimentation and the final conception of their work. Guest experts and artists in the field will provide lectures to facilitate and contextualize the complex environmental, social, and cultural history (and future sustainability) of the pearl as a cultivated and renewable gemstone revered for its beauty, value, and wealth. Only with Agitation, Comes Growth aims to disrupt and innovate around such histories and shared material expectations. A selection of student work produced in the course will be featured in the J+M Department Triennial Exhibition at the Woods Gerry Gallery, Jan 31ST – Feb 18TH, 2025
In conjunction with the course, alumni of the program, who’s research and practice are centric to the course content will be invited back as a fellows-in-residence to work in the department alongside J+M faculty and majors.
