Interview: Jewelry Designer Sergio Gutierrez

How did the idea on connecting the ball chains into the mesh like fabric come about?

I had always loved sword and churches. The beauty, the art that goes into it. Maybe I was some kind of knight in another life. A friend of mine had a very beautiful, very delicate vintage mesh bracelet. She showed it to me. She used to sell jewelry and was a fashion designer. I put on her bracelet and I thought, wow this is one of those things you have and you will never throw away. It feels like silk in your hand. It was really cool. I liked the fact that it had a weight to it. I thought if I could make something like that, I will be in business for the rest of my life. I decided to concentrate on trying to make something that had that kind of substance and fluidity. What I made at the beginning was so primitive. I always admired the quality of what she had in that hundred years old bracelet.

You incorporate electronic circuitry components into some of your jewelry.

I started with the microchips. I started taking computers, breaking them down, taking the microchips out, sculpting them, and showing the inside of the microchip to make my crosses and other objects. Then I drifted a little bit away from that. After some years, it was time to bring the microchip collection back. They go through a process. I have patented that process, which is basically showing the inside of them which is very interesting because they look like 16th century filigree or art pieces. When you show inside the circuitry blended with my solder, they look very different of what you would think about modern technology. I also created a private art collection of swords, crosses, daggers and antique bottles from Europe. I recreated them with the mesh and solder around them.

For me technology and consciousness cross paths. I find that very intriguing. I think a lot about how we treat technology, how we should be more conscious about how we deal with it. It is the contemporary issue, about we we create technology and how we use it in positive and negative ways. So that generations to come realize that you can't take it for granted or the tools that we have created will destroy us. I get a little metaphysical about that aspect of it.

Do you feel that your engineering background will always influence your designs?

That's a great question. I have never had somebody ask me that question. I do think there is a connection. When you open up the computer, especially the old ones, you find a lot of beauty. You can make things with the lamp. It's very intriguing. Look at a motor from an old printer, you find such interesting beautiful circuitry and coils. It's something that people really don't see but it's in there. You pull it out, set it up a different way, and find that what the engineers made is very beautiful. The colors and the textures are appealing to the eye. So yes, I feel there is a connection between learning how to deal with these things and combining them with what I create in time. Technology always changes in so many different ways.

Before you moved to Miami you lived in California. Did you spend any time in Los Angeles?

I used to go down to LA a lot when I lived in Santa Cruz and San Francisco. I enjoy LA a lot. I have friends there. I used to bring a briefcase and go to Melrose and Melrose Place and sell my jewelry to stores there. I remember going to one store and the owner ask me to meet him at the back door. We spread out the jewelry on the hood of his car and he would decide what he wanted to buy. In those days I had long hair almost down to my elbows. I got a good vibe in LA. I sold my jewelry to a lot of stores, especially on Melrose. Now my jewelry is carried at Fred Segal.

Did you have any favorite places to visit when you are in LA?

I had an interview once with Playboy Magazine. That was very interesting. I lent them some pieces for a photo shoot. In LA, I love checking out all the shops. I love going to the beach to roller-blade.

Several celebrities have worn your designs. Who would be your dream person to see wearing your jewelry?

I would like to make a cross for Bono from U2. Maybe personally because at the time that I was struggling in California, their music they have a sense of something that inspired me. For a woman I would say Madonna. I have a big respect for her. She pushes herself, and opens herself. She reinvents herself. I admire that. I try to do the same with my work, keep in fresh, keep it interesting and always be able to surprise people with new things. It would be an honor if Madonna would wear my jewelry.

What are my working on now? Do you have any new projects?

I worked with an architect to create a project that is a lounge and bar made all of of my work. Everything will be made with recycling. All of the artwork will be made with what we throw away in the environment including microchips. I call it the Liquid Metal Space. I hope to be able to build it with a company for an event or a film.

Thank you Sergio.

You're welcome. Thank you so much. I am so happy to have a chance to tell people about my work.

Sergio's Liquid Metal Collection jewelry is available at many stores including Fred Segal and W Hotels The Store.