Design Insight - COLOR CARVING Collection
The COLOR CARVINGS are inspired by the Cut-Outs of French artist Henri Matisse (1869-1954). Matisse is considered one of the leading exponents of modern art – along with masters such as Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp. Generally known for his paintings with intense colors and distinctive strokes, Matisse created in his final phase, starting in the late 1940s, mesmerizing collages with mono-colored, abstract shapes called Cut-Outs.
Tate Modern in London (17th April to 7th September 2014) and MOMA in New York (12th October 2014 to 8th February 2015) showed recently the most comprehensive exhibition on Matisse’s Cut-Outs ever on display.
Similarly to the Cut-Outs, the COLOR CARVINGS indulge in exuberant shapes yet understand them as amorphous bodies rather than planar forms. The sleek-liquid surfaces translate the smooth sensorium of touch into a visual appearance. The optical association with a living organism, in particular of the sea, is further enhanced in the gemstone embellished designs: dimension and color variations underline the vivid structures and bring the jewelry art pieces to life.
Interestingly, certain shapes bear an unintended resemblance to Arabic calligraphy. As one of the characteristics of contemporary art is the ambiguity of interpretation, parallels to the works of the following Middle Eastern calligraphy artists may be allowed: Hassan Massoudy, Golnaz Fathi or Hamza Bounoua. All of them have developed calligraphic symbols which are stripped of all their semiotic content only to be filled with meaning by the viewer’s individual “reading.” It is a pleasure to see the COLOR CARVINGS in this context too.
The COLOR CARVINGS are available in four shapes called Sea Anemone, Sea Horse, Coral and Sea Snake – in reference to the inspiration and association often evoked. All forms come in organic metal shapes and embellished with gemstones.
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