Paris based Martin Szekely is a creative like no other. While taking on the role of artist, anthropologist, sociologist, designer, philosopher and engineer all wrapped into one, his oeuvre too is remarkably diverse. From creating one off and editioned design for prestigious museums, the Museum of Modern Art and V&A included, Szekely is avidly collected by the likes of François Pinault, Karl Lagerfeld and Azzedine Alaïa. His design for luxury labels runs the gamut too, ranging from Hermès to Dom Pérignon and Christofle; his Perrier glasses alone are in the hands of a staggering twenty million consumers. When it comes to stature, he was celebrated with the 2011 exhibition 'Ne Plus Dessiner' at the Centre Pompidou, Paris, and his 'Simple Boxes' snared a Wallpaper* Design Award four years ago.
Now Manhattan powerhouse dealer Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn is further heightening Szekely's profile by staging the exhibition 'Artefact' at her Salon 94 in collaboration with Blondeau & Cie. This will be his first solo show in the US in twenty years.
True to form, Szekely bases his new work on his enduring design sensibility Draw Nomare (no more drawing). 'I stand back from the object per se and present the essence of the design,' says Szekely from Rohatyn's Rafael Vinoly designed Salon 94.
'I turned to the organic, a small pebble I found on the beaches of Normandy and wed it to millennium technology,' explains Szekely. In digitalising the pebble, the form upped in scale and from this he designed coffee and side tables carved out of a single block of Brazilian quartzite flecked with glints of mica. 'Perched on gold plated legs, my 'Artefact' tables are far more than mere design, but rather sculpture,' he adds.
'Martin's new work is far more than functional design and approaches the conceptual while standing up to the best of contemporary art,' muses Rohatyn.
As well as his digitalised pebble displays at Salon 94, Szekely's other designs, an anodized aluminum table, will take centre stage on Rohatyn's stand at the Frieze New York fair on Randall's Island. Joined by Laurie Simmons photographs and Marilyn Minter paintings.
Martin Szekely's 'Artefact' tables and stools are created using his signature Draw Nomare (no more drawing) design sensibility.
A view from underneath: three gold plated legs prop up the organic designs.
Szekely enlarges the organic pebbles using a digital scanner to form these shapely flat tables.
ADDRESS
Salon 94
12 East 94th Street
New York
-
First look: Matthew Fisher opens the doors to his first gallery in ManhattanHistory, design, and environmental consciousness converge at M. Fisher in New York City, offering an experience that is as meaningful as it is visually striking
-
First look at Belmond’s new ‘romantic and nostalgic’ luxury trainBelmond introduces the Britannic Explorer, the first high-end sleeper train experience in England and Wales
-
Take a look at the big winners of the watch world OscarsThe Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève is the Oscars for the watch world – get all the news on the 2024 event here
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
-
Italian craftsmanship comes to Los Angeles in this eclectic Venice Canals apartmentBoffi Los Angeles celebrates a juxtaposition of texture throughout a waterside bolthole
-
Design Miami/Basel 2022 explores the Golden AgeDesign Miami/Basel 2022, led by curatorial director Maria Cristina Didero, offers a positive spin after the unprecedented times of the pandemic, and looks at the history and spirit of design
-
Kvadrat’s flagship New York showrooms encompass colourful design codesIndustrial designer Jonathan Olivares and architect Vincent Van Duysen have worked with Danish textile brand Kvadrat on the vast new space, also featuring furniture by Moroso
-
What to see at New York Design Week 2022Discover Wallpaper’s highlights from New York Design Week 2022 (10 – 20 May 2022): the fairs, exhibitions and design openings to discover
-
Colour defines LA ceramics studio and showroom of Bari ZipersteinStep inside the multifunctional ceramics studio, office and showroom of designer and artist Bari Ziperstein, designed by local firm Foss Hildreth
-
Design for Ukraine: Bocci and Design Miami join forces to raise fundsThe online sale of iconic Bocci pieces will benefit GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, providing urgently needed humanitarian aid
-
Designer Marcin Rusak rallies international creatives to raise funds for UkraineRaising funds for Poland’s Fundacja Ocalenie, Warsaw-based designer Marcin Rusak is making the most of Instagram’s immediacy, auctioning original pieces donated by international designers
