h&d Los Angeles-based, contemporary furniture designer Jason Mizrahi debuted five
Ara Tubular Chair Group 01
new designs in his collection that juxtapose positive and negative space. The Loop Chair expresses movement through fluid forms with a seating surface that curves down seamlessly to envelop a series of loops that create a supporting base. Mizrahi’s Denali Table, a limited edition
crafted of reclaimed plastic. Markel’s trans-
Art and design created from reclaimed
design, creates a dialogue between circu-
lucent chairs and stools have the texture
materials typically belongs in the experi-
lar shapes and linear planes with its sur-
and translucency of rock candy—my first
mental realm, as artists develop new tech-
face draping over a base of sinuous curves.
impression, which was precisely the kind
niques for coaxing unconventional mate-
Mizrahi crafts his sculptural furniture
of childhood nostalgia she wants to convey.
rials into objects of beauty. Textile artist
from aerospace-grade materials.
“I want the pieces to be evocative of those
Alexandra Kohl creates genre-defying
objects that were magical to you as a child
works that classify as both experimental
whether they are candy or jelly shoes or
and repurposed art. Kohl weaves horse
popsicles,” explains Markel, who sources
hair from manes and tails reclaimed in
from a variety of recycled plastics, both
the grooming process with cotton fibers in
thermoset and thermoplastic, sometimes
minimalist designs. “This collection ampli-
blending plastics in large molds. Once
fies the organic harmony produced when
cured, the objects are removed and pol-
plant and animal nature is joined,” explains
ished to reveal their inherent translucency.
Kohl, who weaves on looms that can take
Jason Mizrahi Denali Table
Artist and designer Ara Levon Thorose
EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS
as long as 10 hours to set up.
uses material innovations to create objects that are at the intersection of art and design.
The show hosted a design talk about a “new
His Tubular Chair Group 01 looks as if
movement afoot” known as the New Mate-
extruded from a Play-Doh Fun Factory with
rial Style calling out several key master
its sinewy forms and shiny rubber surfaces.
makers using untapped materials “to take
Devoid of traditional chair legs and a back-
precedence over conventional standards
rest, the Tubular Chair Group 01 looks more
of typology, usability and even beauty.”
like a sculptural installation than a trio of
I met up with experimental designer
chairs crafted from an upholstered neo-
Kim Markel, on the list of key master
prene surface using a three-dimensional
makers, to check out her Glow collection,
line drawing.
Alexandra Kohl Woven Horse textiles
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY MERGE TO CUT THE CORD
Kim Markel Glow collection
With the proliferation of wireless technology, good design has little patience for unsightly cords and wires. Companies such as Sony are breaking down barriers between technology and design with products that cut the cord and eliminate the fixed screen. At the show, Sony Life Space UX debuted a prototype of its 4K Projector that turns any surface into a multimedia screen proKim Markel Waterway vases
jecting books, music, movies, even art as wide as 120 inches.
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