The Objects Biennial
15 November 2016 - 5 January 2017
82 Franklin St NY 10013
R & Company is pleased to announce the fifth edition of their acclaimed exhibition The Objects Biennial. Curated by gallery principals Evan Snyderman and Zesty Meyers, The Objects Biennial will be on view November 15, 2016 through January 5, 2017 with an opening on November 15 from 6-8pm.
Meyers and Snyderman source the works for The Objects Biennial from their world travels, collaborations with designers and galleries they admire, as well as from smaller-scaled sculptural and functional works fromthe designers the gallery represents. The Biennial takes place around the holidays, and the highly gift-worthy works in the exhibition run the gamut from vessels, objects for the home, and toys, to small furniture, ceramics, and sculptural works. R & Company principal Zesty Meyers states, “The Objects Biennial is a great opportunity for us to explore and discover exciting designers. It’s also a fantastic moment for our current designers to test out different ideas for new series of works.”
This year’s biennial showcases German toy maker, Renate Müller’s latest series of therapeutic Birds and Magic Horses made out of leather and jute, South African maker Ronel Jordaan’s most recent innovative bowls in hand-worked felt, and all new ceramics from Los Angeles-based Kelly Lamb. Also on view is a series of new animal forms in bronze by Rogan Gregory and three custom chess sets designed and hand-made by Gabrielle Shelton. Emerging designer Katie Stout will present a range of ceramic lighting and a selection of rugs braided in wool and polyfiber.
As in past years, there are also works uncovered by Meyers and Snyderman on their far-flung travels. While researching R & Company’s 2017 exhibition about radical design in Italy, principal Evan Snyderman admired a mosaic tray in Ugo La Pietra’s home and commissioned a very small series of similar, but unique, works for The Objects Biennial. These handmade trays are designed by La Pietra and set in the town of Spilimbergo, long known for its illustrious mosaic school.
The exhibition will also feature exclusive new objects designed and made by London-based duo Studio Swine and inspired by their research in the Amazon for their upcoming exhibition, Fordlandia. In addition, on view are a series of Johnny Swing’s coin bowls alongside new designs by Greg Chait, founder of beloved cult fashion line The Elder Statesman.
2016 The Objects Biennial designers:
Gabrielle Shelton (USA)
Greg Chait (The Elder Statesman) (USA)
Jeff Zimmerman (USA)
Johnny Swing (USA)
Katie Stout (USA)
Kelly Lamb (USA)
Renate Müller (Germany)
Rogan Gregory (USA)
Ronel Jordaan (South Africa)
Studio Swine (UK)
Thaddeus Wolfe (USA)
Ugo La Pietra (Italy)