mathias bengtsson creates biomorphic furniture for ‘growth’ at galerie maria wettergren, paris

danish artist and designer mathias bengtsson presents a prolific collection of biomorphic furniture for the exhibition ‘growth’ at galerie maria wettergren. the show — on view from september 15th to november 25th, 2017 — coincides with paris design week, an event which overlaps with the city’s maison et objet 2017 fair.

‘growth lounge’, 2016, massif bronze, 3D printing, ca 100 x 200 x 70 cm
image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson and galerie maria wettergren

the furniture series explores the possibilities of software contribution to artistic creation, wherein 3D printing serves as an analogue for representing organic forms. bengtsson begins with what he calls ‘the promise of technology’ – ‘the desire to push the limits of what is imaginable, and the will to create objects unlike any that have existed before’.

‘growth lounge’, 2016, massif bronze, 3D printing, ca 100 x 200 x 70 cm
image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson and galerie maria wettergren

the series reflects the artist’s various processes and use of industrial materials ranging from 3D printed resin, walnut and titanium. the works blur the boundaries between fine art and industrial design — notions of ‘chair’ or ‘table’ are suggested yet the pieces also act as delicate sculptures.

‘growth table walnut’, walnut, 2014, 163 x 66 x 76 cm
image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson

‘growth’ will be the first solo exhibition for bengtsson, an innovator of scandinavian contemporary design. he was awarded the finn juhl architecture prize in 2011 and his works are part of the most important museum collections in the world, such as the centre pompidou in paris and the MoMa and the cooper hewitt museums in new york.

‘growth table walnut’, walnut, 2014, 163 x 66 x 76 cm
image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson

the exhibition at galerie maria wettergren will be accompanied by the book launch for the sculptural catalogue ‘growth’. designed by the artist, the book’s form is inspired by a topographical landscape and made from laser-cut paper. the catalogue will feature commentary by the chief conservator of the pompidou museum, marie-ange brayer.

‘growth table walnut’, walnut, 2014, 163 x 66 x 76 cm
image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson

‘growth table walnut’, walnut, 2014, 163 x 66 x 76 cm
image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson

‘growth table titanium’, 2016, 3D printed titanium, 81 x 140 x 66 cm
image by fabrice dall’anese © mathias bengtsson and galerie maria wettergren

‘growth table titanium’, 2016, 3D printed titanium, 81 x 140 x 66 cm
image by fabrice dall’anese © mathias bengtsson and galerie maria wettergren

image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson 
‘cellular chair’, 2011, 3D printed resin, silver, 74/42 x 82 x 64 cm
read more about the ‘cellular chair’ here

image by martin krupp © mathias bengtsson 
‘cellular chair’, 2011, 3D printed resin, silver, 74/42 x 82 x 64 cm

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