Číslo 7 INspire 2004
 

Peter Janík - the 4th dimension of a jewel

"Art is not about copying but creating unique and functional things with a timeless visionary perspective - those are the most precious. This holds true in the fields of art and design. A copy of an art work or a brand design will never have the value of the genuine original. It's just the opposite. The copy's value often reflects only the materials used just as it is in case of batch products. Therefore from a long-term investment perspective it is just a worthless plagiarism. Value of any designer work grows with the designer's international reputation, exceptionality of the technical design, use of rare materials or unique combinations", says 33-year old jewelry maker - an art jeweler, Peter Janík from Kysucké Nové Mesto.

He has been exhibiting his visionary work at the most prestigious, selective exhibitions of art and design in an unbelievable 27 countries in the world. At the moment he is presenting his work at the touring exhibition "The 25th Anniversary of Sztuki Gallery in Legnica" Legnica, Krakow, Warsaw, Nijmegen (NL) - Gallery Marzee, to which he has been invited by the exhibition's curator, professor Giedymin Jablonski. The exhibition presents the work of renowned art jewelers from 24 countries. After having been transported from Berlin, you can see the exhibition in Fajn klub (TV Markíza), ČSOB and Cafe Piano (Žilina) until the end of September.

Peter Janík's first international success was his nomination (together with Professor A. Cepka, Professor K. Weisslechner) by Professor K.V. Novák to present his work at "Place for a Jewel" exhibition in Mánes Gallery in Prague in 1992. As a 24-year old he presented his work together with Patrik Kovačovský at the prestigious, selective exhibition "7th International Design Competition"in Osaka, Japan, to which they had been nominated by an international committee in the years '94 - '95 (magazine Designum 4/1995).

For his genuine work he has been awarded a number of international awards in the USA, Japan, Denmark, Italy, Germany and also in Slovakia - FORMA 1997 award (Designum 1/1998) and in 2000 his Lunar Ring graphic design appeared on the cover page of a catalogue, on invitations and billboards issued for FORMA 2000 exhibition - Contemporary Slovak Art and Design in Bratislava.

As one of the youngest generation of Gesellschaft für Goldschiedekunst-Hanau organization, member of which he's been since 1997, he presented his work at Asymmetry and Harmony exhibition in Neue Commerzbank in Frankfurt upon Main, the highest building in Europe, designed by Norman Foster in 2000. Since 1992 - a member of the Slovak Fine Art Union - Jewelers Association AURA - Bratislava. His latest award is the 1st place in the international final round of the most significant pearl jewelry competition II. Tahitian Pearl Contest in New York for the most variable jewel in the world - GO CREATE ring, exhibited at the national fairs in New York, Las Vegas, Tuscon, Kobe, London, Paris, Beirut.....

He finds his inspiration in the spirituality of prehistoric pottery, Christian, Jewish and Arabic cultures, bionics, optics, Scandinavian design (principle of form + beauty + functionality + natural materials - Arnie Jacobsen/Denmark, Moroso/Italy - organic, ergonomic shape coupled with a timeless, skillful, artistic design), architecture of Le Corbusier, John Lautner, Ján Kaplický, Toyo Ito, Kenzo Tange, Santiago Calatrava - representatives of bionic architecture whose monographs can be found in his collection of books. Bionic architecture has also influenced the design of his web site. Among his favorites you can also find literature related to the field of landscaping - ecological trends relying on utilization of grass-covered roofs, passive and active utilization of solar and wind energy or utilization of hydroponic technology in architecture - he has made several projects himself.

"I'm only going to buy a hydrogen - oxygen-hydrogen powered car because of the renewable resource type of fuel", claims Peter Janík. Such technologies are currently applied also in jewelry making and I used them myself in 2000. In 1994 he was the first Slovak jeweler to use laser technology as well as titanium and palladium alloys and silicon material. Nowadays, he makes his timeless jewelry using the most precious materials - platinum, 18-carat gold, titanium in a combination with diamonds of different cuts, emeralds, black Australian opals, aquamarines of his own cuts, Tahitian and rainbow pearls of a purple-blue shade. He makes unique rarities - fashionable jewelry - unique originals, which are usually sought-after mainly by collectors.

He makes innovative diamond engagement rings for young, successful people. He has never sold his unique jewels with precious stones in jewelry shops or galleries but these have been made tailor to individual orders and accompanied with the author's certification of authenticity (protection against worthless imitations). You can see his unique jewelry in the collections of the Slovak National Gallery.

Zdroj: www.inspire-magazine.sk, www.4ma.sk