fernando mastrangelo's 'escape' series blends a stratified gradient of tones + textures

an experimental use of unconventional materials defines the latest body of work by brooklyn-based artist fernando mastrangelo. ‘escape’ — debuted at maison gerard in new york, and rossana orlandi during milan design week — blends dreamy, pastel tones and textures across simple, sculptural forms. the materials take on an ethereal quality, with silica, hand-dyed sand, and powdered glass creating gradients akin to a three-dimensional landscape painting. 

the ‘escape’ series by fernando mastrangelo
all images by cary whittier

‘escape’ comprises a bench, bookcase, coffee table, desk, credenza, and wall mounted pieces, each translating colorful compositions already existing within nature as functional design objects. mastrangelo’s unusual choice of mediums underscores the materiality of the pieces and creates poetic possibilities for interior settings. silica — with its lava-like texture — composes the foreground, while hand-dyed sand is stratified with delicate veins that subtly change in tone to suggest layers of earth. crystalline — an almost translucent powdered glass — forms textures reminiscent of otherworldly skies and bodies of water.

escape (coffee table), 2017 | silica, powdered glass, sand | 54” x 42” x 16”

the collection is on view at new york’s maison gerard from now through may 5th, and at milan’s spazio rossana orlandi through may 1st, 2017.

escape (coffee table), 2017 | silica, powdered glass, sand | 54” x 42” x 16”

escape (coffee table), 2017 | silica, powdered glass, sand | 54” x 42” x 16”

escape (bench), 2017 | powdered glass, sand | 60” x 16” x 16”

escape (bench), 2017 | powdered glass, sand | 60” x 16” x 16”

escape (bench), 2017 | powdered glass, sand | 60” x 16” x 16”

escape (bookcase), 2017 | powdered glass, sand | 87” x 20” x 40”

escape (bookcase), 2017 | powdered glass, sand | 87” x 20” x 40”

escape (bookcase) detail, 2017 

escape (desk), 2017 | powdered glass, sand | 72” x 28” x 30”

escape (desk), 2017 | powdered glass, sand | 72” x 28” x 30”

escape (desk) detail, 2017

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