Our Shapes & Masks
Functional Art Furniture Collection | Grason Ratowsky | Vobia
For this unique collaboration I wanted to communicate the concept of the exhibit “In Each of us There Are Many” into the art furniture collection to offer a cohesive and engaging experience to the viewers that is equally functional and conceptual. The vision was to create truly artistic furniture pieces that silently relate to and convey the concept of the show. The collection is designed using varying shapes, materials and abstract figures in an effort to communicate the different layers and versions of ourselves as modern humans. Hand carved traditional Korean Hahoetal masks were incorporated within the works as an interactive element and also to convey the notion that we as people wear different metaphorical masks given each scenario we are in to help our progression and forward movement in life. The series makes up individualistic pieces that are as unique and collectable as a one of kind work of art.
Sofa Bench of Masks
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To mirror the paintings within the exhibit, the Sofa Bench of Masks is comprised of a myriad of different contorted, abstract and figurative sections constructed from flowing shapes and forms that will be machine cut out of wood. The shapes all come together to communicate a playful but deep subject matter showing the different versions of ourselves we display at certain times. The hand carved, traditional Korean mask focal point flips around to another mask on the other side as a fun interactive element and a physical representation of one’s inner multiplicities. As you flip the mask around to a different mask it represents our changing of versions of ourselves to better conform to the given situations we find ourselves in. The design is finished off with the asymmetric leg with stained wood shapes that carry through all the pieces. While being representative, these playful elements also give the works a bit of artistic integrity and flare.
Chair of Shapes
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The Chair of Shapes is a simple and elegant, though highly artistic three legged chair made of wood. The different shapes conceptually representing the different forms of humanity and the multiplicities within one’s self will be lathe turned and then stained in a specific, though interchangeable color system and finished with a steam bent backing.
Chair of Shapes
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The Chair of Shapes is a simple and elegant, though highly artistic three legged chair made of wood. The different shapes conceptually representing the different forms of humanity and the multiplicities within one’s self will be lathe turned and then stained in a specific, though interchangeable color system and finished with a steam bent backing.
Chair of Masks
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Also representational of the paintings within the exhibit as well as the other art furniture pieces of this series, the Chair of Masks is a simple wood chair comprised of an abstract, machine cut backing or “body” of the figure attached to a hand carved, traditional Korean mask focal point that turns around to another mask on the other side as a fun interactive element and a physical representation of one’s inner multiplicities. As you turn the mask around to a different mask it represents our ever-changing versions of our internal and external beings. The design is finished off with the asymmetric leg with stained wood shapes that carry through all the pieces. While being representative, these playful elements also give the works a bit of artistic integrity and flare.
Table of Masks
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The Table of Masks is a coffee table made with numerous varying hand carved traditional Korean masks that are set in a transparent hardened resin on a wood frame. The masks set in resin will give the table an extra depth and dimension to better convey the depth of the show. The different masks pay homage to an important part of Korean history while also representing the essence and concept of the artist’s works within the exhibit in an effort to connect the two different worlds. The design is finished off with the asymmetric leg with stained wood shapes that carry through all the pieces. While being representative, these playful elements also give the works a bit of artistic integrity and flare.
Table of Masks
•
The Table of Masks is a coffee table made with numerous varying hand carved traditional Korean masks that are set in a transparent hardened resin on a wood frame. The masks set in resin will give the table an extra depth and dimension to better convey the depth of the show. The different masks pay homage to an important part of Korean history while also representing the essence and concept of the artist’s works within the exhibit in an effort to connect the two different worlds. The design is finished off with the asymmetric leg with stained wood shapes that carry through all the pieces. While being representative, these playful elements also give the works a bit of artistic integrity and flare.
Hanging Light of Shapes
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The Hanging Light of Shapes is a playful and artistic hanging light made of wood. The different shapes conceptually representing the different forms of humanity and the multiplicities within one’s self will be lathe turned and then stained in a specific, though interchangeable color system. The light will be finished with a small Edison bulb contained in a green glass housing.
