Modern contemporary Blacksmithing. What is that you might ask? From the point of view of the general public this might seem a contradiction. However, there are a group of artists emerging using ancient techniques of foraging with their thoughts planted firmly in modern design concepts. I first heard the word “Plastika” when I attended the Helftyn Castle conference in the Czech Republic in 2007. Billed as the “ largest gathering of artist Blacksmiths in the world“, this conference had in attendance Blacksmiths from 28 countries. The work I saw there forever changed the way I approached my work and the possibilities of moving metal. The historical significance of metalwork is firmly planted in the minds of the general public in Europe, but unfortunately not so in North America. This show should change that. Considering the supply of cheaply made products that our modern society had been flooded with, modern Blacksmithing techniques bring back the concept that an object can be made that will stand the test of time and in so doing, become timeless.
~ Tim Cisneros,
Blacksmith / Artist
