Exhibition Review | TAKE PART IN
Bodmer-Turner’s new collection can be seen in New York City-based design showroom Matter, and their newly-launched gallery space, Matter Projects, where the ceramics are on view until April 1, 2022.
Photography by Marco Galloway
Bodmer-Turner (b. 1990), known for her ethereal ceramics, has stepped into more functional furniture design with the introduction of Chair I in early 2021. Bodmer-Turner was interested in exploring how purely sculptural work can seem untouchable due to the fragile nature of ceramics, and she wanted to push these boundaries with her ceramic practice to include works that force more bodily interaction.
Photography by Marco Galloway
Of her explorations, the artist explains, “It is disheartening that once the piece is fired, it suddenly becomes this untouchable object. I like that by extending the sculpture into furniture brings the sculpture full circle, back to something that is supposed to be touched and can hopefully invite the viewer to take part in what would otherwise seem an aesthetic existence.”
Photography by Marco Galloway
She continues, “I like building furniture out of this same material because it forces the viewer to interact with the piece -- to pull on the suspended ball to turn the light on, to grasp the seed-shaped knob to extrude a drawer from a colossal mass of geometric shapes. There's some small delight and whimsy that I find in that, it's like being a child and getting to touch something even though you're not supposed to.”
Photography by Marco Galloway
The exhibition also features a series of one-of-a-kind lighting pieces created in collaboration with Matter. The ceramic lamps were created in multiple parts and then attached together to create larger works without the limitations of kiln size.
In solidarity with the people of Ukraine, Simone has collaborated with photographer Anastasiia Duvallie and printer Kendall Bradley on a limited-edition zine-style book and two limited-edition posters, which will be available for sale at Matter on the occasion of TAKE PART IN's closing night, with all proceeds benefiting Brand New Ukraine. RSVP at rsvp@mattermatters.com.
TAKE PART IN
10 Feb - 1 April 2022
Matter Projects
405 Broome Street
New York, NY 10013
Closing Celebration
Thursday, March 24 2022
6 - 9 pm