Meeting with Michel Baldocchi
A new school year with Michel Baldocchi, Director of the oldest school of jewelry. Founded at the end of the 19th century, the private school of jewelry and jewelry-making BJOP is an institution that prepares students for the professions of jewelry, jewelry making and goldsmithing.
How do you become the director of the famous BJOP school?
Originally, I was a Training Manager and a mathematics teacher. I have always loved the world of art, the crafts, artistic creation and the history of art. I joined Ferrandi school, then it was Rue du Louvre and the famous BJOP.
What is your favorite stone?
The Opale, for changing from 4 precious stones and especially for its colors! The colors of the opale are true landscapes; it is also a stone surrounded by mysteries. It represents a period of extremely rich creation, the Art Nouveau, Vever, Lalique and many others. I would say that it is a «magical precious stone» that is part of the mystery of jewelry.
Around 1910
Opals, Diamonds
A jewel that you like?
This jewel that accompanies me in my office, a creation of Mr Amar Naseer, elevates me’BJOP school and winner of the 2009 National Jacques Lenfant Prize.
Nothing is more beautiful than a work done by a future jeweler!
What are your best encounters with creators?
I cite them all; I forget some…Among the directors of creation, Claire Choisne at Boucheron, Nathalie Verdeille Cartier, Stéphanie Sivriere Piaget …and many others, from independent companies to Thierry Vendome…
The BJOP School Forming practitioners first and foremost, creating is also about practice. We train workshop leaders, engravers, and jewelers who are essential in the profession. I also think of Xavier Gargat, head of manufacturing at Cartier, for their technical creativity. All of them are wonderful encounters. Together, they form a group of former students from the school that now forms the backbone of this profession.
What does the jewel represent to you?
The synthesis of historical know-how, very ancient and the oldest profession in the world is jewelry making; it’s well known, it’s a joke that’s regularly thrown into conversation! Since the Neolithic era, man has been shaping objects, and you can’t find a skeleton without objects made of rope, wood, or stone..
From the discovery of metal, man has made tools and jewelry. Of course, we prefer jewelry! Egyptian jewelers 3000 years before our era were virtuosos; it is a very old profession. For me, it combines history, very ancient technical virtuosity, a strong symbolic value, and technical complexity, which makes it a place where we meet people who are both humble, modest, and proud of what they do.
It is now a profession of art and the future. We see this with the success of French jewelry, the development of creation and the major brands. It is the profession par excellence and jewelry is the quintessence of it.
A Music that you listen to?
The music of Kurt Weill
A work of art that you like?
Jérôme Bosch. A graphic work, a volume, … there are many of them.
© Museo del Prado
A book you haven’t forgotten?
Pierre and Jean by Maupassant.
What kind of development for BJOP schools ?
Today, schools that were traditionally and primarily focused on manufacturing are increasingly turning to creation, which translates into the introduction of new degree programs. For the last 5 years, we have created the Bachelor in Jewelry Design, a European degree to train designers and creators. It is prepared in partnership with other schools, including Higher School of Art and Design in Geneva (HEAD). And of course, opening up to the international market is essential.
Sabine de Raulin, Damien Marconnet and Pierre-Etienne Schulze.
© BJOP Schools
What does the BJOP transmit to the students?
The eye, the ability to see, learning to see. Mastery of the craft and technical skill are historically the hallmarks of the school. Humility in the face of the complexity of the creative process and energy, dynamism to continue moving forward, because the future of this very old profession is them!
Thanks Michel Baldocchi and a very happy start to the new school year for the BJOP schools.
BJOP School
58 rue du Louvre 75002 Paris
+33 (0)1 40 26 98 00
