Wiebke Pandikow and Javier Ens, Enjoia’t Awards 2024

The winners of the Enjoia’t Contemporary Awards, baptised in their 28th edition as “Enjoia’t – CON-X-ION”, have been announced.

Inspired by the multiespecies networks of Donna Haraway, this edition proposed to explore new perspectives that transcend the human and promote new ways of relating to our environment. An exercise addressed to professional jewellers and jewellery students that advocates for sustainable practices such as reusing, resignifying, and tracing the materials, with the goal of promoting a more aware and solidary future.

Amongst the 29 selected pieces, which will be exhibited at the Disseny Hub Barcelona until the 3rd of December, a jury formed by Jorge Manilla, Ángela Bermúdez, Heidi Shechinger, LLuís Comín, Paulo Ribeiro, Amador Bertomeu and Carmen Amador chose the two winning pieces: «Bread Basket 5 Biodegradable», by Wiebke Pandikow, in the professional category, and «Paisaje Alquímico», by Javier Ens, in the student category. They also highlighted two finalist works per category.

The entire official selection of the 2024 Enjoia’t Awards edition can be purchased through the online gallery of  Klimt02 Barcelona.

Enjoia’t Professional Award
Jewel: Bread Basket 5 Biodegradable
Author: Wiebke Pandikow

Description: using our hands to work materials from our immediate environment, living and creating within a larger natural system, was once deeply human. But the materials at hand have changed, the environment drastically altered. In slow and careful construction, a questionable solution to a modern day problem has been reworked using an ancient craft evident in the archeological record all over the world.

Jury’s assessment: the sensibility to transform a biodegradable plastic bag into a piece of art jewellery shows the compromise and the ability of Wiebke to interpret the award theme. The soft texture of the piece gives the impression of a thread and the volume resembles a bread basket, a comfort and quotidian element that reminds us the importance of small things in life. Something that looks very smooth and easy but that subtlety shows how difficult it is to create something full of meaning and symbolism nowadays.

Enjoia’t Student Award
Jewel: Paisaje Alquímico
Author: Javier Ens

Description: this ring is born as a unique alchemical dance inspired by the interconnection and harmony between different elements. As the melted metals are poured separately into the mould, they intertwine in an unpredictable way, creating unique patterns that evoke natural landscapes. This random union forms a microcosm of metallic biodiversity.

Jury’s assessment: we particularly appreciate the unusual experimental work process. Starting from traditional casting techniques, the artist played with melted copper and silver, which he melted together. As they solidified, they formed into fascinating landscapes—wild seas and rocks that almost appear like photographs, yet can evoke different interpretations for each viewer. It is a celebration of the element of chance.

Enjoia’t Professional Finalist
Jewel: In honor to your service
Author: Chiyang Duan

Description: when I was a kid, I believed the United Nations was the most powerful organization on Earth. In my mother tongue (Chinese) it means “a country made up of all nations”. My design philosophy revolves around destruction, and deconstruction. This piece is based on the UN Medal, awarded to countries participating in military and humanitarian operations. When a country vetoes a ceasefire agreement supported by all other members, I realize that there is, in fact, a nation above all others. But it is not the UN. This piece commemorates this twisted period in world history.

Enjoia’t Professional Finalist
Jewel: Pearl Necklace # 1
Author: Eva Fernández

Description: this neck piece presents the puzzle of a necklace within a necklace, prompting the owner to choose between the representation of an object and the actual object through the act of playing with beads in a non-traditional way. The work explores the boundaries of conventional jewellery, encouraging viewers to reconsider the symbolism and meaning attributed to these pieces.

Enjoia’t Student Finalist
Jewel: Objeto y Devenir
Author: Antonia Barra

Description: it proposes a way of perceiving things, objects and jewellery from a perspective that challenges the hierarchies and dichotomies of the beautiful and the non-beautiful, the human and the non-human, the organic and the non-organic. Inspired by the new materialisms proposed by Jane Bennett in her book Vibrant Matter, I invite you to imagine a jewellery and a way of appreciating matter where every element is valid for its form and for existing symbiotically with our creations.

Enjoia’t Student Finalist
Jewel: Mi tesoro, tu padre
Author: Victoria Belert

Description: she used and recycled tin cans to preserve memories
of different people. Each piece is unique and it corresponds to a person I specifically interviewed. The main question was “What treasure would you put in a box to remember and keep close?”. When she interviewed her mother, she chose her father. This piece is a tribute to him, to her mother, to what he meant for her. She want to represent that, without memories, there is no life. We have to remember.