konstantin grcic confronts the inner space with 'hieronymus' collection for galerie kreo

konstantin grcic confronts the inner space with ‘hieronymus’ collection for galerie kreo
all images courtesy of galerie kreo

konstantin grcic: hieronymus
galerie kreo, paris
march 22nd to july 14th, 2016

konstantin grcic reflects on antonello da messina’s masterpiece ‘saint jerome in the study’ (national gallery, london) from 1947 in his hieronymus collection for galerie kreo. an image that has really stuck with him — particularly the degree of architectural elaboration seen in the saint’s study, and the way in which furniture creates an environment in itself — grcic addresses this notion of the inner space detected within the painting; looking at the space that exists between saint jerome and the sacred, himself and transcendence. in turn, grcic poses questions such as: ‘what makes a space intimate?’, and ‘how does one experience such a space?’, confronting the issue of location in design through five diverse pieces.

installation view of the ‘hieronymus’ ensemble which challenges the inner space

the family of sculptural objects presented at galerie kreo draw on a variety of materials — from marble to aluminum — and techniques like 3D printing, and sees konstantin grcic transforming 15th century pieces of furniture into contemporary objects for living. one is designed to accommodate two sitting individuals, and debates the possibility of dialogue; another separates the sitter from outside sound through a high seated back; a third requires one to adapt to body tension; a fourth redefines the way in which one places themselves on a seat, and therefore the world; and a fifth encompasses it all, inviting sitters to decide from several positions in which to engage with the furniture.

‘hieronymus’ by konstantin grcic translates the monumentality of the furniture depicted in antonello da messins

through ‘hieronymus’, konstantin grcic extracts the monumentality of the furniture depicted in antonello da messina’s image, bringing it to life and making it mobile and fluid. he invites us to go in search of new modern comfort, one that would be our own, that of our body and our mind; not of laziness and relaxation, but for study — just as da messina did for the encyclopaedist saint jerome. the architectural pieces each reflect space from an alternative perspective, and stand to redefine the structure in our lives.

hieronymus collection sees grcic translating 15th century furniture into principle objects for contemporary life

each work challenges a different means of inner space and interaction

each of the five pieces is made from a different material

Save