belgian designer liesbet bussche has created a series of five large necklaces in the city of namur. these site-specific artworks are part of the her ongoing series titled ‘urban jewellery’ – in which she brings jewellery, usually experienced as an intimate gift, into public space.

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
liesbet bussche, ‘sculptures dans la ville’: les bijoux urbains, namur, summer 2017
stainless steel chain, cable, plate and rod; fishing floats

 

 

for this project, liesbet bussche enlarges archetypal jewellery and links them to urban elements, creating unexpected encounters in daily life. the five necklaces are placed along the rivers meuse and sambre in namur. during the summer, the quays along these waters change into sunny promenades – allowing local people and tourist to stroll along the river, enjoying the sun on a boat or playing with their children on the banks. hence, the function of the rivers transforms from work to leisure.

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel plate and rod; ship’s rope

 

 

to emphasize this transformation and to celebrate the role water can have in a social environments, bussche has decided to make the five necklaces out of nautical material. these include thick ship’s rope, colourful fishing floats and heavy stainless steel chains combined with precious jewellery components. finally, five stainless steel pendants influenced by summer and aquatic life adorn the necklaces.

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel plate and rod; ship’s rope

 

 

the work can be discovered on a route that starts in the city at rue du pont, and goes to the harbour of namur along quai des chasseurs ardennais and quai de meuse. ‘sculptures dans la ville: les bijoux urbains’ are on display until august 27th, 2017. 

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel plate and rod; ship’s rope, fishing floats

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel plate and rod; ship’s rope, fishing floats

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel chain, plate and rod

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel chain, plate and rod

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel chain, plate and rod

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel plate and rod; ship’s rope, fishing floats

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
stainless steel plate and rod; ship’s rope, fishing floats

liesbet bussche's urban jewellery series takes over the city of namur in belgium
poster design by anthony lewin

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom