An exhibition of sci-fi jewelry closed this week at the Villa De Bondt, the Art Deco paradise in the Belgian city of Ghent. Fans of the jewelry designer Bernard Francois were left begging for more, and so he announced a virtual museum then and there, available for anyone to access for free. This is not the first time that Bernard Francois has kicked against convention. Thirty years ago he set up his Neon Gallery, and treated visitors who came to view his jewelled creations like long-lost friends. And there were some astonishing creations for his new audience to view, where nanotechnology, cartoon strips and sci-fi collide head on with beauty and bling, and where plastic is just as important as precious metals. Now, in keeping with his sense of mischief and surprise, Bernard Francois has decided to exhibit his amazing Villa De Bondt collection not alongside other word-renowned jewellers but alongside ordinary members of the public.
His preferred global gallery is our CollectValue social network site, where he has found a new ally to champion his cause. Our Curator, Etienne Verbist says, “I took one look at his exhibition on our site and decided he must have his own online museum. Don’t get me wrong, I love people who use us to display their collections of say Barbie dolls and vintage motorbikes, but this man’s visionary jewelry looks like it was designed to be worn by future cyber-lady robots.”
His preferred global gallery is our CollectValue social network site, where he has found a new ally to champion his cause. Our Curator, Etienne Verbist says, “I took one look at his exhibition on our site and decided he must have his own online museum. Don’t get me wrong, I love people who use us to display their collections of say Barbie dolls and vintage motorbikes, but this man’s visionary jewelry looks like it was designed to be worn by future cyber-lady robots.”
