FIDEM,
the International Medal Federation (Fédération
Internationale de la Médaille) was founded in 1937
as a transnational organization representing the major producers
of commemorative medals. In the succeeding decades, the scope
has been broadened to emphasize the activity of sculptors
and collectors, with the art of the medal as the primary focus.
The
principal activity of FIDEM is the organization of an international
congress and exhibition for its members, usually every two
years. At the congress, lectures and workshops explore the
aesthetic, production, and history of the medal. The exhibition
features thousands of medals by artists from member countries.
Each country's exhibition work is selected by its own delegation
by the process of competition.
The
29th Congress, October 22 - 25, 2004, was held in the city
of Seixal, Portugal. The exhibition was held until November
27, 2004 at the former Mundet Factories. 1055 medal works
by 515 artists, from 32 countries were exhibited at the 29th
Congress. Among them were 63 works from 33 American artists.
The panelists for selecting American delegate work for the
29th Congress were appointed by the US Delegate, Ms. Cory
Gillilland.
The
following statement is part of the FIDEM catalogue written
by Ms. Gillilland.
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Entries
of the competition were almost double the number of
medals allotted to the United States. Thus, the selection
was a most difficult task since all the medals submitted
were fine examples of the craft. At the time of their
judging, all of them were laid out and identified only
with a number. The artists were incognito and the art
was judged for the piece itself. |
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The
30th FIDEM Congress will be hosted in 2007 by the American
Numismatic Association in Colorado Springs, U.S.A.
