ECO-FRIENDLY GOLD JEWELRY INSPIRED BY A LEGEND

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MAN RAY

Man Ray. Self-Portrait with Camera. 1931. Gelatin silver print. © 2017 Man Ray Trust / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

Visual Artist Man Ray was born Emmanuel Radnitzky in Philadelphia in1890. Best known for his fashion photography and for his contributions to the Dada and Surrealist movements, he was a prolific artist creating works across many mediums, including: painting, photography, assemblage, and film. He was also credited for the innovation of "photograms" or "Rayograms" (discovered with Lee Miller).

In 1897 Emmanuel and his family relocated to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and a few years later changed their surname to Ray. Emmanuel or "Manny" then changed his first name to Man, hence the name "Man Ray". While living in New York, Man Ray was heavily influenced by the avant-garde scene in NYC, and by artists of the time including Marcel Duchamp.

The next chapter of his life was spent in France. He moved there in 1921 and settled in the Montparnasse quarter of Paris where he built his inner circle of fellow artists and created his Surrealist works of art.

Near the end of his career he forayed into jewelry design and teamed up with esteemed Italian jeweler GianCarlo Montebello, also known as GEM. It was during this time that Man Ray designed the "spiral" shaped earrings in 1968 as seen on Actress Catherine Deneuve, and later another similar spiral earring designed in 1971.

Man Ray passed away in 1976, leaving behind a massive legacy. His wife Juliet Man Ray then organized a trust for his work, donating much of it to museums, among which were "Le Trou" ring and the "Pendantif-Pendant" or "Lampshade" earrings which were donated to the Centre Pompidou in Paris. 

"Release 01 Was Chosen For Its Iconic And Timeless Design; [Release 01] is as Modern Today As The Day It Was First Designed In 1973."

-Bob Donofrio, Founder  

LE TROU RING

Le Trou translates to "The Hole" from French. The concept for this piece, is the wearer of Le Trou would look through the hole and alter the viewer's perception of reality, making this a true Surrealist work of art.

Le Trou ring made BY FUTURA. Handcrafted today with 18kt Fairmined Ecological gold. Sustainably made luxury gold jewelry.

Le Trou ring made BY FUTURA. Handcrafted today with 18kt Fairmined Ecological gold. Sustainably made luxury gold jewelry.

Le Trou ring made By FUTURA. Handcrafted today with 18kt Fairmined Ecological gold. Sustainably made luxury gold jewelry.

GIVES BACK

Jewelry with a conscious. Every piece of FUTURA jewelry sold, helps eliminate mercury emissions from entering into our food and water sources. Become a change-maker with your purchase, and help make our planet a safer, cleaner place for us all. 

ETHICAL, SUSTAINABLE & TRACEABLE

Empowering miners with healthy and safe living and working conditions, stability, gender equality, no child labor, along with creation of wellbeing in the community and support for workers rights. From the mine to your finger, we provide physical traceability of the source of gold through the entire supply chain and creation journey.

RARE & COLLECTABLE

For the first time ever, the Man Ray Estate has granted permission for his designs to be recreated. Why? Because, they understood the importance of our mission to change the gold mining industry and support the future of jewelry.