fredrikson stallard presents gravity at london's david gill gallery

fredrikson stallard presents gravity at london’s david gill gallery
all images courtesy of david gill gallery, london

fredrikson stallard: gravity
david gill gallery, london
march 9 – april 9, 2016

david gill gallery presents an exhibition of new work by fredrikson stallard, embodying the studio’s interest in the dichotomy between analog and digital; controlled and chaotic forces; and serene and dynamic energies. ‘gravity’ expands upon the ideas that have informed the studio’s overall practice — specifically the interplay between computer technology and manufacturing techniques — offering a narrative on the conceptualization and realization of each piece.

‘gravity’ table

the exhibition of work includes a table, console, mirror, light and — for the first time — a series of accessories. included in the show is the new ‘gravity’ table, which seems to hover in mid-air with a smooth, ice-like surface that sharply contradicts its fractured, jagged base; the dark red velvet sofas ‘species I’ and ‘species II’ — previously featured by designboom at their presentation at the london design festival — seemingly sourced from natural topography, yet manufactured from cutting edge technologies and classic materials; and ‘manhattan’ firedogs (used to hold logs) made from bent metal sheets.

‘gravity’ table — side view

each of the pieces embody a sense of immediacy, through the actions of shattering and smashing, yet maintain a sense of serenity. the collection sits between two worlds, placing beauty and destruction side-by-side. the duality between chaos and control is achieved through a deliberate use of material — acrylic is used alone or combined with patinated steel, and tactile red velvet is set against rigorous structures. every piece is paired down to its essential and fundamental elements, without any added superfluous ornamentation.

‘gravity’ table — base view

‘the new is not the materials we are using, or the technology per se,’ patrik fredrikson and ian stallard describe, ‘what is new is seeing furniture and sculpture as the very same thing — the object has become itself — it does not need a function it can stand upon itself. without technology we could not do what we do — but we are not driven by the computer — we are more interested in using and manipulating our emotions and our physicality.’

‘metamorphosis’ mirror