The Formation exhibition at the Friedman Benda gallery in Chelsea, New York, marks the gallery’s first collaboration with Formafantasma, a design studio that focuses on the historical, political, social, and ecological forces shaping contemporary design. Formation explores the roles objects play in the domestic environment and proposes a series of fundamental units and archetypes, including the chair, table, lamp, and desk.
Each piece on display is made of cherry wood to highlight the fundamental element of carpentry: the plank. The pieces have a timeless aesthetic. The exhibition offers a deep exploration of how domestic artifacts evolve over time, influenced by emerging technologies. The Floor L lighting element, for instance, features rectangular LED panels designed with proportions that evoke smartphones or laptops.
«Our research is inspired by our admiration for the Shaker community and designers such as Frank Lloyd Wright and George Nakashima – craftsmen and designers who built their own aesthetic and philosophical foundations,» say Formafantasma founders Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin.
«The collection reflects the Shakers’ approach to utility and transcendence through its essential forms and use of cherry wood, a material deeply rooted in the American woodworking tradition. Wright’s synthesis of craftsmanship and technology, as well as Nakashima’s love of wood as a living entity, can be seen in the interaction between the warm wood and the brushed aluminum, a material most often associated with contemporary digital devices».
Instead, the exhibition La Dolce Vita. Masters of Design – organized by Nina Yashar, founder of the Milan gallery Nilufar, and Lee F. Mindel, FAIA, founder of Galerie56 and the SheltonMindel studio – is a tribute to Italian creativity from the 1930s to the 1970s.
The white cube of the Tribeca gallery at 56 Leonard Street – a celebrated building designed by Herzog & de Meuron – becomes a stage for designers such as Joe Colombo, Ignazio Gardella, and BBPR, represented by outstanding works. Notable pieces include a scenic bookcase by Ico Parisi, crafted by Ariberto Colombo; a one-of-a-kind bench by Carlo Mollino, originally designed for the Minola apartment in Turin and adorned with two Ornavasso marble plinths; and Piero Fornasetti’s trumeau with malachite décor, based on a Gio Ponti design, of which only three exist.
«This exhibition is a love letter to Italy,» says Nina Yashar. «It reflects our deep connection to our cultural heritage and our desire to share it in an environment where architecture, design, art, and people come together authentically. Galerie56 is the ideal setting for this synergy.» Lee F. Mindel adds, «Collaborating with Nina Yashar at La Dolce Vita is a tribute to architecture, design, and life itself. With artists like Carlo Scarpa, Ettore Sottsass, Piero Fornasetti, Pietro Chiesa, and Carlo Mollino, the exhibition embodies Mollino’s philosophy: ‘Everything is allowed, as long as it is fantastic’.»
