Work of Art Challenge: Episode 4: "A Shock to the System"

Episode 4: Shocking Piece of Art

Air date: June 30th 10pm PST; Bravo TV
In this episode 4, the artists are challenged to create a piece that is shocking and memorable, and speaks to issues that are important to them personally. An originator of provocative and controversial imagery.
EtsyMetal Jewelry Translation... however you interpret this, simply make a shocking piece of jewelry!

Thomasin Durgin / MetalRiot

*See her video here!

Tomi says, "I used the piezoelectric igniter from a butane grill lighter, the ring shocks the wearer when the button is pushed. It doesn't hurt too badly, but reverberates through the copper well enough that it's oddly uncomfortable and kinda scary. I pulled out the wire that sends the shock for last part of the video, you can sorta see the spark. I would like to play with the design more. At one point I had the wire running into the silver button cap to shock the pusher, which is also fun.
The piezoelectric igniter is an interesting device. According to Wikipedia, "It consists of a small, spring-loaded hammer which, when a button is pressed, hits a crystal of PZT or quartz crystal. Quartz is piezoelectric, which means that it creates a voltage when deformed. This sudden forceful deformation produces a high voltage and subsequent electrical discharge." Pretty cool, but it takes quite a bit of force to push the button, I'd like to find a substitute."

Victoria Takahashi/ Experimetal

Title: Sticker Shock!
Victoria says, "I decided to go with word play this week. My goal this week was to find something shocking without it being sexual or disgusting like on the Bravo show, I wanted that feeling of "Shock to still apply." So I am hoping people who didn't know about this challenge would wander into my Etsy shop and go wtf!? Why is this ring so much!? This was my intention anyway :) To just be silly!
Materials: 10 gauge Sterling Silver, thread."

Norsola Johnson

Title: Blood Diamond Ring

Severed hand in grotesquely large diamond

Norsola says, "The challenge this week was to create a shocking piece... I've rambled on about it (too long to write here) on my blog." Materials: Sterling silver, resin, plastic, inks."

 Stacey Hansen / WildflowerDesigns

Stacey says, "for my shocking piece, I wanted to do something seemingly sweet and good on the outside but dirty on the inside. "

Inbar Bareket

Inbar says, "No words needed (I think...)"

Thank you all for reading our team blog!

Please come back to see what inspires from this weeks Episode 5:

 "Art That Moves You"

scheduled to be posted on

Thursday, July 15th!