Imprint Rings

Design: Aslı Kıyak İngin

Place of production: Galata-Şişhane

Exhibition Venue: Cologne Design Week, Design Parcours Ehrenfeld

2016

Exhibited in Design Parcours Ehrenfeld during the city event “Cologne Design Week”

It is a more than product. It is more of a research, experience project by design process to understand and manipulate the craft neighborhood in Galata specially Yüksek Kaldirim Street which is losing its ability today.

Imprint rings refer to the graffiti artists in the Şişhane-Galata district, the city itself, and the cliché and pantograph workshops located on the street known as Yüksek Kaldırım in this district. At the same time, they refer to this tradition of craft production, which is caught between traditional and modern production and symbolises the transition. This work aims to draw attention to these workshops and shops, whose numbers are dwindling and whose place is being taken by mass-produced souvenirs from the Far East. More than just a ring design, it is a research project and an indicator accompanying this process and history. It has been produced in collaboration with different masters and workshops in the region. It also serves as a medium for the user to leave their own mark and convey their message.

Ingin was inspired to this 'Jewellery that leaves a mark' by a street in Şiihane that is dedicated to artisanal stamp and puncheon making. On the hunt for a new application of this dying craft, she has created a collection of stamp-rings with different messages and patterns.