The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 38, September 23, 2007, Article 9

DICK JOHNSON REPORTS FROM THE COLORADO SPRINGS FIDEM CONGRESS

Dick Johnson writes: "Art medals of the world are alive and
depending upon who you talk to they may also be said to be 'alive
and well.' The major art medal event in America for decades took
place at the 30th FIDEM Congress held at Colorado Springs September
18th to 22nd, an event usually held every other year in Europe.

An exhibition of 1,500 medals from artists in 32 countries were
on display in the exhibition gallery of the American Numismatic
Association headquarters building (with lectures at the nearby
Antlers Hilton Hotel). Well lighted exhibit cases displayed medallic
items in a range of compositions from wood to gold. But a preponderance
of mixed media seemed to dominate the international exhibit, as were
medallic themes, art styles, shapes, attachments, patinas and sheer
visual delights. The word 'wow' can never be overused at an art
medal exhibit.

The official medal of the event was revealed -- and offered for sale
-- a stunning art medal of extreme creativity. A complete medal is
presented in a single medal. But with a rearrangement of up to four
specimens of the same medal five different layouts can be achieved.
The medal was struck in arc shape with a male head on the obverse
and a female head on the reverse to fit a notch at the base. The medal
is the invention, design and modeling of Sarah Peters of Falmouth,
Massachusetts, who is new to art medals. Tip to collectors: buy four
medals as the charm is to rearrange the medals in a new pattern each
time.

A massive catalog covered every one of the 1,500 medals with a bonus
'FIDEM at 70' parallel exhibit. The main exhibit contained the recent
work of world medallists in this permanent form of hand-held art --
numismatics contribution to glyptic art. The parallel exhibit contained
150 medals of exceptional medallic work of the past. The latter were
in color in contrast to the black-and-white illustrations of the main
exhibit. The 373-page catalog was a credit to the publications
department of ANA who prepared it.

A new feature of this FIDEM was a Saturday bourse among artists.
This was dominated by American and Canadian artists who could easily
transport medals for sale. Only one European artist, Czech Otakar
Dusek, took advantage of this as other art medallists perhaps did
not wish the hassle of customs and toting a heavy load of potential
sale items. Dusek also gave a slide presentation of his medal of
Czech president dissident Vackav Havel, at the Colorado Springs
Fine Arts Center next door to ANA on Friday evening.

Next week: Look for a report of who won the grand prix for the
top art medal, and what country won the 'Art Medal Olympics' from
a medal collector's standpoint."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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