in correlation with
THE DANISH ARTS FOUNDATION
An exhibition of boxes and all they represent
Featuring work from:
Annelie Grimwade Olofsson
Cathrine Raben Davidsen
Elly Glossop
Ida Elke
Iben Høj
Louise Hedegaard Madsen
Mariko Wada
Pettersen & Hein
Stine Mikkelsen
Contemporary design gallery The Future Perfect, in partnership with the Danish Arts Foundation, is proud to present Open and Closed, a group exhibition of new works by nine emerging Danish artists and designers. On view from October 27 – December 15 at Casa Perfect New York, the exhibition explores the metaphor of a box, its quality as an object, and its context in society.
For the exhibition, The Future Perfect invited each artist to construct miniature three-dimensional containers adhering to the conventional characteristics of a box while reflecting each designer’s unique aesthetic and practice. The nine works on view highlight both the beauty of construction and the possibility of the space they hold. This collection of distinctive containers constructs a conceptual dialogue between the makers and viewers, encouraging viewers to immerse themselves in each designers’ work and consider how each box connects to the exterior world.
“The box is a poignant symbol of spaces as they are opened and closed and of the rigid conditions under which many artworks are made and presented,” says The Future Perfect Director Laura Young “To show work created from such a fixed concept, we explore how every object and artwork we interact with carries within it a set of complex economic and political circumstances.”
Open and Closed’s nine artists’ interpretations and unique approaches to this theme are prevalent throughout the show, which sees artist Cathrine Raben Davidsen explore the symbolism and spiritual qualities behind the ceramic tradition of an urn and the notion of space tackled by Annelie Grimwalde Olofsson, who uses materials which allow objects to distort and expand. Iben Høj and Louise Hedegaard Madsen’s work utilizes natural fibers in creating sheer soft surfaces that challenge conventional material boundaries, and the notion of interval vs. external by allowing the viewer to glance in. In contrast, Ida Elke, Mariko Wada, and Pettersen & Hein gravitate to the use of natural resources such as stoneware, metal, clay, and concrete in designing miniature containers. Other artists, namely Elly Glossop, and Stine Mikkelsen, confront materiality by upcycling and engineering their own composites from crushed glass bead and marble, quartz sand, fish glue, porcelain, and volcanic glass fragments.
About The Future Perfect
The Future Perfect was founded by David Alhadeff in 2003 and has become one of the world’s foremost contemporary design galleries. From its inception, The Future Perfect has been distinguished by its thoroughly creative and ebullient vision and strong curatorial focus, which showcases studio-created works alongside one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces.
In its 17-year history, the gallery, as its name implies, has introduced some of the seminal design talents of our times, including highly collectible works by Lindsey Adelman, Jason Miller, and Piet Hein Eek. Considered a catalyst as well as an industry authority, The Future Perfect has also forged relationships with some of the world’s most influential artists, designers, and craftspeople.
Today, The Future Perfect’s prestigious gallery program is tailored to its unique locations in North America: Casa Perfect New York on Manhattan’s West Side; The Complex, in San Francisco; and Casa Perfect, in Beverly Hills, CA. By design, each space offers a highly customized environment that includes exclusive exhibitions from cutting-edge contemporary artists complemented by an eclectic mix of contemporary production and gallery pieces, all of which can be discovered under one roof.
About Laura Young
Laura Young is the Gallery Director of The Future Perfect, where since 2014 she has played a pivotal role in the Gallery’s commercial and cultural success. Working closely with founder David Alhadeff, Laura has helped establish The Future Perfect as one of the world’s foremost contemporary design galleries and champion of emerging talent in the collectible design market. Under Laura’s leadership, The Future Perfect’s gallery program has staged landmark shows at The Future Perfect’s locations in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, and yearly at Design Miami/ and The Salon Art + Design. Laura’s role touches on all facets of the company, ranging from marketing, creative direction and curation to artist management and sales.
Curatorial highlights from Laura’s tenure at The Future Perfect include The Chair, an exhibition of one-of-a-kind chairs from an international roster of artists and designers, and Mess, co-curated with Tom Morris and featuring unique ceramic works by 32 international artists across three locations in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Prior to The Future Perfect, Laura was the Director of Operations at Lindsey Adelman Studio, and the Creative Director for Areaware. She has also been on the faculty of Parsons School of Design. She received a BFA in Furniture Design from Rhode Island School of Design, and is currently based in New York City.
About Danish Arts Foundation
The Danish Arts Foundation is Denmark’s largest art foundation working to spread the arts to a wide audience all over Denmark, promote Danish art internationally, and pave the way for talented artists. By funding more than 6,000 artists and art projects every year through 60 different funding programs, the Danish Arts Foundation supports creative thinking and innovative ideas and funds the production and promotion of visual arts, film, literature, music, performing arts, architecture, crafts and design – and all that transcends the border of these art forms.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Olivia Lugarini, Camron PR
olivia.lugarini@camronpr.com
For any other inquiries, please contact The Future Perfect here.