ts powerful, penetrating sound made the bell a major means of communication in many societies. It marked the hours of the day, signalled important events, summoned people together, invoked the spirits, and punctuated rituals. It also sounded warnings, repelled lightning, heralded births, and paid a final tribute to the dead. The hand bells with clappers already in use in ancient times were made of bronze or pottery.

Bell By Christina Kloepfer Kitchener, Ontario Circa 1983 Bronze Overall width and height: 11 x 8.6 cm; diameter of each bell: 5 cm Gift of the Massey Foundation

Opus 72 - Bell

Bell By Christina Kloepfer Kitchener, Ontario Circa 1983 Bronze Diameter: 7.2 cm; height: 7.5 cm Gift of the Massey Foundation

Christina Kloepfer casts her bells in bronze. Opus 71 is similar in shape to African double bells (which, however, are struck from the outside). Opus 72 has a more traditional shape.

     

Christina Kloepfer

Christina Kloepfer graduated from the Sheridan College School of Design in 1973. After apprenticing under sculptor Jordi Bonet in Montreal and Frank Colson in Florida, she opened her own studio in 1978. Fascinated with bronze, particularly its durability, she uses the lost-wax method of casting. Through her work with metal, Kloepfer says she is carrying on a family tradition, as her grandfather was a blacksmith.

For this artist, bell making combines two important elements: formal research, which allows for artistic expression, and technical research (on the choice of diameter, thickness, alloy and so on), which is reflected in utilitarian, functional objects. The result is beauty of shape complemented by beauty of sound. Christina Kloepfer's bells have been displayed in a number of exhibitions across Canada.