Posts: 4

1. Marc Newson in NYC by Ami Kealoha

   16.Feb.07, 18:36 EST
   
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   On the heels of his Design Miami 2006 "Designer of the Year" win last month, Marc Newson hits New York with two high profile gallery shows that both open this Thursday, 25 January 2007. At Gagosian, Newson shows a collection of new limited edition works inspired by materials, reinvented with radically unconventional techniques and forms. Each piece is made out of a single, seamless piece from various materials, a concept most dramatically illustrated by a group of Carrara marble furniture that includes the stunning organic shapes of the Voronoi Shelf and the flowing lines of the Extruded Chair.
   
   
   
   Helping to inaugurate their new showroom and gallery (which is right across the street from Gagosian), high-end furniture dealers Sebastian and Barquet will be showing iconic pieces from Newson's ouevre, like his renowned aluminum Prototype Lockheed Lounge. The piece made history last year for fetching the highest price ever paid at auction for the work of a living designer. Sebastian and Barquet will also show other standouts from their discerning permanent collection of 20th century design—they specialize in prototypes, one-offs and other era or designer-defining pieces— in their new space designed by Mexican architect Enrique Norten.
   

2. Halloween 2006: Thomas Keeley by Letizia Rossi

   16.Feb.07, 18:25 EST
   
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   Thomas Keeley, a 25 year-old Rhode Island School of Design grad based in New York City, creates three dimensional pieces with creepy Halloween-esque themes. Equipped with wings and fangs, the "Bat Chair" is a slightly sinister yet entirely functional take on a classic café-style chair.
   
   
   
   A hair brush with dozens of bloody fingertips in place of bristles serves as a very literal interpretation of "running fingers through your hair."
   
   
   
   Keeley is currently working on illustrations and typography as well as venturing further into chair modifications.

3. Diamond Sofa by Jacob Resneck

   16.Feb.07, 18:19 EST
   
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   Italian designers Samanta Snidarao and Andrea Fino of Sand & Birch Design have developed a limited-edition furnishing called the Diamond Sofa that's caught our eye (as well as a few others in the blogosphere). With 160 Swarovski crystals forming a pattern that adorns the wide strip and a built-in LED or flourescent lamp, this reflective aluminum sofa is designed to be a dynamic sculpture as well as a functional two-in-one piece that also saves space. Only one hundred of the numbered edition have been produced, so contact the designers through their website to inquire about one of their sofas-masquerading-as-jewelry.

4. Jake Phipps Furniture by Evan Orensten

   16.Feb.07, 18:06 EST
   
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   Jake Phipps is an English furniture designer who has been making furniture since graduating design school in 1999. His studio gained a reputation as a resource for custom work, but he has recently added a few objects for the retail market.
   
   
   
   His work is clever; tables stretch or adapt to grow, all while maintaining the integrity of the design and the material, as seen in the Sentosa table in rippled sycamore
   
   The Rodin loveseat's sensual curves are hand-sculpted from solid English Oak. It is available in both indoor and outdoor versions, and can even be inscribed with your favorite quotation.
   
   
   
   The Vitruvius table is a beauty in Macassar Ebony. Perfect for smaller spaces, the square table hides fold-up extensions that seemlessly transform it into a round table with seating for 8.
   
   All items are available from Jake Phipps.