atelier takagi: new american design

‘new american design’ – atelier takagi civilian art projects, washington, dc on now until january 8th, 2011

a detail view of how the three materials used to construct ‘market research’ fit together images courtesy of atelier takagi

jonah takagi of atelier takagi has collaborated with apartment zero and gallery civilian art projects for his first ever solo exhibition entitled ‘new american design’.

the site specific installation features prototypes, one-off and limited edition pieces, representing the japanese born, american-based designer’s functional and streamlined aesthetics. the meticulously crafted objects, each of which requires close examination, aim to re-contextualize our familiar surroundings.

atelier takagi used contrasting form, material and texture when designing his new piece, ‘market research’

‘market research’ an end table produced specifically for ‘new american design’ was a study and exploration of material, texture and finish. while very different in their forms, the three contrasting materials- venatino marble, white ash and enameled water-jet cut aluminum, fit together to create a harmonious and balanced object.

left: ‘market research’ right: ‘subdivisions’

a detail view of the intersecting armatures in atelier takagi’s ‘subdivisions’

modeled after the iconic streetlamp common to every suburb and city, ‘subdivisions’ is a table lamp constructed from blackened steel and concrete. two arms extend from the central post and house one, three watt LED light each. named for the iconic song ‘subdivisions’ by rock band rush, the lamp will face a limited run of three pieces.

the only three ‘subdivision’ lamps to be produced

the exhibit displays previously released objects along with ‘subdivions’ and ‘market research’ developed specifically for ‘new american design’

takagi, who was a part of the designboom ‘asia now‘ exhibition at dwell on design in los angeles is also showing his previously released ‘american gothic‘ table, ‘simple machines‘, ‘spun table lamp‘ and ‘bluff city light‘. the exhibition is on now through january 8th at civilian art projects in washington, d.c.

the exhibition, on at civilian art projects was designed to be site specific