Ward

 

Ward is a pendant intended to protect the wearer from being internally affected by other people. It is the counterpart to Less Than Three.

On the most basic symbolic level, it consists of concentric circles. As these circles expand, they are protected by various physical barriers. At the center is the alchemic symbol for Sol (or gold), representing a precious and rare inner core. Working in from the outside, the outer ring is made of heavy four gauge copper wire. Suspended within that is a circle of eight outward-facing razor blades (still sharp), which have a slight rust patina.

 

The blades are allowed to rotate freely on riveted joints, except for those clasped by the brass suspension. A stiff wire cage protects the innermost bezel, obscuring the view of the piece and blocking contact. Finally, the enclosed symbol is made of Padauk. I chose to use Padauk because its red color refers to blood and to the heart, and because my allergy to the wood made the creation of this piece come at some personal cost to me.

In the creation of this piece I was interested in the duality of defenses – they can protect us from outside forces that may cause us harm, but at the same time they trap us in. Wearing Ward is not without risk, as it can cut and tear at the wearer.

 

Ward

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