The Barragán-inspired ceramic lights to debut at Sight Unseen OFFSITE
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Sight Unseen is all geared up for the launch of their fifth annual Sight Unseen OFFSITE with the Syrette Lew’s new collection of chairs and lights — the latter designed in collaboration with ceramicist Giselle Hicks and many more designers, from May 17 th
The Barragán-inspired ceramic lights to debut at Sight Unseen OFFSITE
Sight Unseen is all geared up for the launch of their fifth annual Sight Unseen OFFSITE with the Syrette Lew’s new collection of chairs and lights — the latter designed in collaboration with ceramicist Giselle Hicks and many more designers, from May 17 through May 20, 2018, at Mulberry and around Manhattan.The gallery says, “The installation will be on view at 201 Mulberry starting May 17, and presented by Levi’s Made & Crafted — is loosely based on the color palettes and surroundings Lew encountered on a recent trip to Barragan’s native Mexico.”Visually speaking, the influence of Lew’s travels brings a sense of the past to Moving Mountains decidedly of-the-moment aesthetic: the lounge chairs in medium-tone woods with white upholstery, the handmade ceramics. “I wasn’t consciously wanting the installation to feel retro, but because the inspiration is coming from Mexico City, Oaxaca, and the architecture and interiors of Barragan, it maybe leans that way,” says Lew.Colorado-based Hicks designed and crafted the vessels that form the bases of Lew’s lamps has taken the inspiration from history, citing ancient Greek and Chinese vessels as source material for her practice, as well as the work of mid-century potters like Lucie Rie and Ruth Duckworth. Those references were put in the lamps where she formed terracotta clay into shapes that are simple and sculptural; some are fluted, others are round or columnar. The pieces are made using what Hicks refers to as “the most fundamental technique ever” — coil and pinch — allowing her to achieve a heightened sense of immediacy. “This was an assignment to make something with as few tools as possible,” she explains.The results look magnificent and awe-inspiring but there was a significant learning curve to the collaboration, which was executed completely digitally. Lew had been determined to work with Hicks eversince she spotted her on Instagram a few years back, but at press time, the pair had yet to set foot in the same room. “Syrette drew very detailed renderings that specified that the opening at the top of the vessels should be something like 4.771 inches, and I was like ‘Lady, you know these are handmade,’” says Hicks. Hicks standardized the opening at the bottom. “It never got to the point of being not fun,” says Hicks.The Sight Unseen OFFSITE will be on view from May 17 through May 20, 2018 at 201 Mulberry, New York, NY 10012, USA.http://www.blouinartinfo.com/ Founder Louise Blouin Read more
