R & Company Explores Natural Influences in Concurrent Exhibitions
TriBeCa gallery R & Company, a frequent purveyor of contemporary design, has announced concurrent exhibitions that will delve into two design icon’s resounding fascination with natural forms and materials—and the emotions they conjure within. Brazilian furniture craftsman Jose Zanine and fashion aficionado Rogan Gregory’s one-of-a-kind pieces will grace the double-level gallery starting May 2, revealing their unique vernaculars through a captivating curation that captures decades of design prowess.
An unmistakable giant of Brazilian design, the late Jose Zanine had honed his mastery at wooden furniture craftsmanship since the 1940s, when he first implemented the groundbreaking techniques harnessed by the likes of Eames and Aalto. Zanine’s collection at R & Company, which includes a webbed plywood chaise and a glass-topped table with a stunning carved aquariquara base, examines his expertise at using extraordinary tropical woods to fashion pieces that evoke a rustic and relaxing atmosphere. But his dedication to Mother Nature truly set him apart—if he didn’t use wood from an already felled tree, he would plant another one to respect the cherished (and endangered) rainforests of his homeland.
On the lower level, Rogan Gregory’s collection reflects the intricate interplay of his psychological curiosities and environmentally-conscious oeuvre. Gregory’s work embodies a heartfelt appreciation for nature’s raw, untouched beauty, fueled by a “deeply meditative process” where he meticulously hand-sculpts each object, stripping it of its context. “I want my work to generate multiple interpretations—so many that you can’t detect an established pattern,” Gregory remarks. This alludes to Pareidolia, a psychological phenomenon in which the mind perceives familiar patterns where none exists. R & Company gallery principal Evan Snyderman worked with Gregory on the installation design, which, fittingly, seeks to emulate the lighting and presentation used in natural history museums.
Both exhibits are open to the public until June 23, 2016.
