NYC Makers: The MAD Biennial
From July 1st to October 12th, 2014, the MAD museum hosts NYC Makers: The MAD Biennial, the first in a series of exhibitions examining culture of making in urban communities. On the fourth and fifth floor of the museum, the exhibition showcases the work of more than 100 designers, artists, artisans, and other makers who live and work throughout the five boroughs of New York City. These works were nominated by 300 New York City-based cultural leaders and civic figures, and selected by a panel of ten captained by Murray Moss. WantedDesign went to visit the NYC Makers: The MAD Biennial, and this is a selection of what we think are the highlights. More
SITU Studio, Castscape.
This exhibition environment is made by a continuous concrete fabric landscape to create a surface that is both fluid and resilient. The concrete canvas material impregnated with dry concrete is draped over wooden armatures to create the desired form, and is then hosed down to fix the fabric in place. This application of an industrial canvas material conceptually supports the exhibition’s focus on local making practices in design and manufacturing.
Phillip Low, Untitled.
Three iterations of hand-milled geometric prisms are formed from sheets of Perspex and acrylic, with alternating coarse and polished surfaces, which create a radiant glow.
Aranda/Lasch and Casey Reas, Primitives (This Could Be an Extraordinary Find).
Made by mirror-finish stainless steel, two-way mirror acrylic, LEDs, and micro-controllers, this piece wants to evoke the atmosphere of a research station of communications hub, light pulsates within mirrored cavities. The sculpture’s three-dimensionality continually dissolves and reappears as the geometric surface reacts to emitted light. The illuminated patterns are transmitted and distorted across the network, as the light bounces to create infinite spatial configurations.
François Chambard, UM Project Pink Perch, (from Odd Harmonics).
Designed and made by François Chambard of UM Project, Pink Perch is one of a series of twelve original theremins, an early electronic music instrument named after the its Russian inventor Léon Theremin. Chambard’s contemporary aesthetic is unique as the instrument itself, and draws on design influences from the Bauhaus, to the Memphis, to the Steampunk periods.
Or Zubalsky, Meeting Table.
This work explores group dynamics through the reconfiguration of sonic space. The table is constructed as a responsive drum that amplifies the heartbeats of those who sit around it. Five stethoscopes are connected to the drum for performers to hold against their chest. The signals are passed to a series of analog electronic circuits inside the drum, which then plays amplifying and resonating with the group’s continually changing pulse.
Ei Arakawa x Sergei Tcherepnin x Aki Takahashi, Owls’ Ear Trap.
The sculptural set of speakers reflects innovate possibilities for everyday objects made possible by teaming of skilled practitioners.
Fort Standard, Counterweight Mobile Light.
“Counterweight” series utilizes the weight of stone and Brass in conjunction with steam-bent White Oak bodies and kiln-formed glass diffusers. Features two rows of dimmable warm LEDs in each light.
Chen Chen & Kai Williams, Moonmilk.
This vase was made utilizing the remnants of the casting of cement planters, Stone Fruit. The Brooklyn-based duo is interested in the exploration of materials, and for this particular work cement, which is traditionally used to create molds and in this case it creates the final product.
Fredericks & Mae, 100 Arrows.
Thread wrapped and fletched using turkey, peacock, or macaw feathers, these arrows are for decorative or ceremonial use. Each arrow is unique, and made by wood, feathers, thread, and gold/silver.
Lindsey Adelmon with Nancy Callan, Totem II.
Totem is designed by Lindsey Adelman with glass by Nancy Callan. The light sculptures were created in an edition of 3 unique pieces for 2014 exclusive to The Future Perfect. Totem brings together a mix of materials from brass to glass. Each element of Totem stacks to create a limitless design concept of vertical sculpture.
WantedDesign warmly suggest to visit the NYC Makers: The MAD Biennial at the MAD Museum. For more info visit http://madmuseum.org/exhibition/nyc-makers.