Caz Guiney (Melbourne)
Charm-ID Card / Encanto-ID Targeta

Function
to confront the seemingly impenetrable obstacle of bureaucracy

Activation
Hosts run the card on an immoveable fixture of the institution in question, leaving a trace of gold.

Materials
plastic ID card, leather lanyard, gold 24ct gold leaf

Engage
www.charm-idcard.blogspot.com/

Caz Guiney studied Jewellery and Metalsmithing at the Frankston campus of Monash University, under the tutelage of Beatrice Schlabowsky and Mark Edgoose. Her initial work was guided by a critical attitude to the environmental damage caused by mining of precious metals. She experimented with ephemeral materials, including soap, wood, foam and even ice. In 2003, she presented City Rings, where she adorned the Melbourne CBD with hidden gold ornaments, causing great public controversy. She has continued this interest with experimental jewellery performances that place preciousness in the public realm.

Charm-ID Card

Guiney’s charm is designed for those who find themselves up against hard institutional logic and are frustrated at an inability to realise dreams for the betterment of all. The instructions make this clear.

Activate Charm-ID Card by rubbing gold side on a rough surface; the ground or side of the building of the creative educational institution where you are employed or are/were a student.

Rub in a circular motion creating a unique sketch from the location onto your card whilst transferring a touch of gold to the building — hopefully the Midas Touch.

Slide behind your staff/student ID card on your lanyard or slip into your wallet and a sense of hope will be forthcoming. You will be blessed with luck for continuing, satisfying employment or optimum educational choices at reasonable costs in an education sector strangled by economic rationalism.

Recent news

• 13 Mar 2012: TAFE Charming Punter #11 - Charming Front
  
  
  This is the story from Lorraine White who coordinates the jewellery course at Box Hill TAFE. She is willingly out and proud and expressed no need for anonimity...bless.
  
  "… all hell has broken loose here at Bokkie for all sorts of reasons. My very brief DVD that I put together for you explains some of it. Anyway, the short of it is that we were told that Jewellery might not run in 2012 at a meeting with our CM in early November. Yikes ... Then a few weeks later, we were told all was well with the world!
  …we got a reprieve and the course is actually running this year. So I'd like to attribute the turnaround to The Charm ... alas ... it all happened before I got it. Nevertheless, I wear the charm daily in anticipation of even more good news... and it makes me feel happy".
  
  Let's hope the luck extends into 2013 as they may face uncertainty again in the future.
  
  
• 13 Mar 2012: Charming French Punter # 10 - Charming Front
  
  
  Love the table with wine and nibbles...the French really are charming!
  
  
  Activation in the recently opened and seemingly only contemporary jewellery gallery in France.
  
  
  Gold flecks only just visible on the wall.
  
  
  
  
  
  Is this the look of luck?  Let's hope so!
• 13 Mar 2012: Charming Punter # 9 Oh so hopeful! - Charming Front
  
  
  
  
  
  Charming Punter #9 states, "Finally it's time to get making! But my studio space at the university has been reduced! I have applied for a new spot which I feel will encourage a new burst of creativity and motivation.
  So after waiting several months to move to the new space, I took my Charm-ID card to the site of the desired space and said a little prayer.
  
  I rubbed it on the signage outside the studio, on the wall, a little on the floor and even on the curtain!!! I really want this studio space!
  
  After signing my card I wore it around my neck for the day before popping it in my wallet next to my student card. I hope it will continue to rub off in there..."
  
  
• 13 Mar 2012: Charming Punter #8 Video Evidence! - Charming Front
  
  
  Charming Punter #8 stated "I just wanted to let you know I recieved the charm and I'm very excited about it :)
  
  As you know, I'm wanting to do my Masters at RMIT this year and I'm meeting with one of the co-ordinators on Thursday evening, so I'm going to be activating it then"
• 31 Jan 2012: Luck tested in Sydney with Charming Punter #7 - Charming Front
  
  
  
  So I'm an active member of the Charm-ID club. Woop Woop.
  
  This is my story.(Charming Punter #7)
  
  
  
  
  I've only got a few days left of my 2 years at gaffa gallery. Soon i'll be moving onto different adventures. It all began back in very late in 2009, when Gaffa moved into a 3 story c.1892 Police Station. By the time we moved in however, it had be transformed a number of times, once into a house and then into some commercial offices. We ripped up the carpet, knocked down some walls and painted what we could white, trying to cover the bad 1990's cream that adorned all the walls. The ground floor of this building was my responsibility, it housed the old Police holding cells, one of which would become my office and the entrance to the 'Sterling by gaffa', our jewellery and object retail store. The other 4 would become 'The Arcade Project' a series of short lease pop up shops available for fashion, design, performance art pieces, reading rooms, patisseries etc. The ground floor also has a cafe, which has tables and chairs all though the light filled atrium in which The Arcades are situated.
  
  
  
  
  I look out into the Atrium from my desk, directly on the floor outside my office is a 'Durhams Foundary' plaque, we found this when we ripped up the carpet, and cleaned all the concert, I remember quite vividly the Sunday we sealed the floor, it was hot, we were hungover and we mused over this plaque for some time. We are still not sure what it is, it's not very big, perhaps the size of a small saucer, does it top a drain? or is it just a hallmark of things that no longer exist? Whatever it is/was, this was where I decided to rub my little good luck card.
  
  
  As I said, I only have a few more days left at gaffa, it has been an amazing experience, building things from scratch, and being a part of a very small team (only 3 for the first year) allowed for the greatest freedom to do what you wanted how you wanted, with little to no bureaucratic bullshit. Dream job! But it is now time to leave and pursue my own agenda and adventures. I'm hopping my little rub of good luck will bring with me the joys and freedoms that working at gaffa has allowed. I hope when I step into my new rolls in other institutions (I am volunteering at the Powerhouse Museum, my ID lanyard is where the Charm ID card has ended up), it will allow me some small freedoms and protect me from too much bureaucracy. One can only hope!
  
  
  Good luck and thanks to the Sydneysider...and look at that lovely contemporary jewellery she is wearing!!!! With any luck she will move to Melbourne??????