A Quick-Note on Kristin Knoll

19 Dec A Quick-Note on Kristin Knoll

Alchimia a contemporary jewellery school in Florence seeks to teach students to express their creativity through contemporary jewellery, developing high-quality technical and theoretical skills. By adopting the technological developments of our time and the most experimental cultural trends, Alchimia encourages its students to enhance their talents. Its focus draws on the revision and adoption of traditional techniques and carefully selected materials combined with experimental and groundbreaking approaches to design, teaching students how to transform ideas and research paths in jewellery and design objects, and how to access the working context.

OMG Florence has always kept an eye on this school, this time we’re making a Quick-note on an MFA student who has always fascinated us, Kristin Knoll, if you’re in Florence you can see her installation – Hug Me- on the Alchimia’s exhibition space in Piazza Piattellina 3/r.

OhMyGodFlorence: What was your intention with this work, your inspiration? What is the role of the materials used and how do they work with this inspiration?
Kristin Knoll: Right now in my MFA research at Alchimia I’m working with concepts surrounding physical pain. For this project, I wanted to alter a comfortable form that we would ordinarily want to embrace or hold into something that was unapproachable and untouchable otherwise you could be hurt. I chose to use the color pink because it represents sweetness, affection, and approachability, while the pink cord itself is pierced with thousands of sharp sewing pins that create a sense of danger for the viewer.

OhMyGodFlorence: How can someone passing by Alchimia’s window relate the installation to the jewellery field?
Kristin Knoll: As a student, I found that creating an installation in the window for public view gave me a sense of space to communicate my ideas and express the concepts I’m working with. It has the opportunity to expose, and pique the curiosity and interest of the people passing by to the contemporary jewellery field.

OhMyGodFlorence: What are your future plans? Are you working on your own collection? Are you staying in Florence? Where can we see your work, is it possible to get in contact with you for future projects?
Kristin Knoll: I am currently focusing on my MFA studies for the next two years in Florence. If you are interested in following my inspiration and work in progress you can find me on Instagram @kristinleighknoll.

OhMyGodFlorence: Your favourite spot in Florence?
Kristin Knoll: I previously lived in Austin, TX and fell in love with the vibrant music scene there. One of my favourite places to see live bands and shows in Florence is at Glue Alternative Concept Space.

OhMyGodFlorence: Three must-do in Florence that you recommend to a friend travelling to Florence
Kristin Knoll: La Specola di Firenze, Forte Belvedere, Cinema Odeon.

OhMyGodFlorence: How would you describe your experience with OMG Florence?
Kristin Knoll: I took a wonderful paper workshop with the artist Diana Beltran Herrera hosted by OMG Florence. It helped to advance my skills in working with paper, especially in making prototypes that I could later translate into other materials such as metal. I look forward to taking more workshops in the future!

Thank you so much again–wishing you happy holidays! : )

Kristin Leigh Knoll

OhMyGodFlorence: Thank you so much for letting us open a door on your world. We are sure that this will be the beginning of a great journey with a lot of inspiring projects!

Short CV:
Kristin Leigh Knoll, born March 24, 1987, USA

EDUCATION
2015 – 2017 Alchimia Contemporary Jewellery School, BFA, Firenze, Italia
2005 – 2009 Schreiner University, BFA in Graphic Design, Texas, USA

WORK EXPERIENCE
2011 – Present Freelance Graphic Design
2011 – Present Previa Products, New Products Development Associate
2009 – 2011 James Avery Craftsman, Graphic Designer