Dead Darlings is an anonymous art auction founded in Amsterdam in 2005 as a platform to explore the complex love triangle between artist, artwork, and collector. Combining elements of performance and exhibition, their focus is on artifacts whose value is ambiguous: dead darlings. This refers to a work that has been created, yet for any variety of reasons, has not been brought to light. Through an open call, they give makers the opportunity to revisit those ‘failed’ works. A cross section of artists and makers are invited to submit their darlings, those are then auctioned anonymously at low and inclusive starting prices. To ensure value is placed on the piece a buyer loves, not one that has commercial ‘value’ the names of the makers are only revealed after the sale is final.
In the established tradition of both Current Obsession and Dead Darlings of breaking barriers, we embraced connections between different creative fields, bridging together various genres within the jewellery field, and including works that qualify as Jewellery coming from other fields such as art, fashion, design and beyond. The overall theme of OBSESSED! Jewellery Festival in 2019 was Jewellery.United.
Images by Franziska Schulz
