Elton John turned his kneecaps into gold jewellery | Touched By Gold

Key Concepts:

• Patella (kneecap) preservation and artistic transformation
• Talismanic objects and historical artifacts
• Bone jewelry (necklace and brooch)
• Latin inscription and its meaning
• Material properties of gold in jewelry making

Artistic Transformation of Patellae

The discussion centers on the artistic repurposing of removed patellae (kneecaps). The speaker, having had both kneecaps surgically removed, requested to keep them. The surgeon was initially surprised by this request.

Process of Patella Preservation and Enhancement:

1. Drying: The kneecaps were baked to dry them out, making them porous, similar to pumice stone.
2. Coating: They were then painted with acetate.
3. Polishing: Finally, they were polished to achieve a refined finish.

The Right Patella as an Artefact:

The right patella, described as "amazing," is presented as a finished piece. The speaker's surgeon stated that they had "the worst knees he's ever operated on." A notable feature is a hole in the kneecap, which the speaker likens to an "old artefact from Egypt." The speaker views these transformed objects as "kind of talismanic," suggesting they hold symbolic or protective significance. The aspiration is for these pieces to endure for "a thousand years," potentially becoming historical artifacts like "Elton John's kneecap." This concept is compared to a "reliquary."

Bone Jewelry Creations:

Beyond the patellae themselves, jewelry was created from bone:

• Necklace: A necklace chain was ingeniously made out of bones. The speaker found it "more fun to have a necklace that reflected the thing at the end of it."
• Latin Inscription: The back of the necklace features a Latin inscription. The speaker's cousin, a Latin scholar, helped translate the desired phrase: "I will no longer bow to any man." This sentiment is directly linked to the physical inability to bow due to the absence of kneecaps.

The Left Patella as a Brooch:

The left patella, being smaller, was transformed into a brooch. The process of applying gold to its "unusual" shape was described as "incredibly difficult." Gold was identified as the most suitable material for this intricate work due to its malleability.

Timelessness and Durability:

The speaker expresses a strong belief that these creations are "timeless pieces that will last for centuries," emphasizing their enduring artistic and potentially historical value.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

This segment details a unique artistic endeavor involving the transformation of surgically removed patellae into decorative and symbolic objects. The process involved meticulous drying, coating, and polishing, resulting in pieces likened to ancient artifacts. The creation of bone jewelry, including a necklace with a Latin inscription signifying defiance and a brooch crafted from a smaller patella, further highlights the innovative and personal nature of these creations. The overarching theme is the desire to imbue these removed body parts with lasting significance and artistic merit, creating objects intended to endure for centuries.