Michael Berger follows in the footsteps of his mentor, Friedrich Becker, an outstanding designer and master craftsman who had a decisive influence the art of the goldsmith in the second half of the 20th century. Becker’s legacy was the introduction of the fourth dimension: movement, to jewellery design.
Michael’s hand-made kinetic rings move and spin on the wearer’s hand, he views jewellery not solely as adornment or a means of communicating the wearer’s affluence. “There’s a certain playfulness involved if you design kinetic jewellery,” explains Michael, who has his own studio in the city of Düsseldorf.
Kinetics – the dynamics of objects accelerated by forces – is the phenomenon which makes Michael’s rings so fascinating. At first glance, his stainless steel or gold rings seem to be attractive, clearly shaped pieces, like miniature modernist sculptures.
It is only when you put them on and start moving your hands that their full magic is revealed: the top elements, which nestle closely together, start to move and rotate. This finger-dance, initiated by the wearer, is made possible by the microscopic bearings that join the top and bottom section of each ring.
Even when not in motion, Berger’s rings are objects of stunning beauty which conceal yet another unexpected feature: these rings can stand. In each ring design Michael includes a flat base, allowing these miniature sculptures to be admired from all sides. The rings are available in a variety of different designs – whether set with glittering diamonds or gems, or completely plain, they are always the centre of attention - let the dance begin.
