NEW YORK, NY.- Galerie Philia is presenting an exceptional pop-up exhibition of art and design at Walker Tower, the iconic 1929 Art Deco building in the heart of Manhattan, running from 15 February until 30 June 2021.
The Walker Tower project is part of a programme of global temporary exhibitions developed by the gallery to present the best of 21st century European design across a variety of prime locations. It seeks to introduce emerging and established designers to the US market, prompting dialogues and connections with a brand-new audience. Located at 212 West 18th Street in Chelsea, the exhibition space is set within Ralph Walker’s architectural masterpiece and consists of an elegant two-floor loft-style apartment with breathtaking views over Downtown New York, providing the perfect backdrop for the gallery’s outstanding collection of works.
In a tightly curated scenography delivered by the gallery in collaboration with Italian architect and designer Pietro Franceschini, the exhibition showcases over 70 works by 40 international designers, all of whom are represented by Galerie Philia. The exhibition features collectible design, including functional furniture and contemporary decorative arts by rising talents such as Frédéric Saulou (France), Sander Bottinga (the Netherlands), Lucas Morten (Sweden) and Niclas Wolf (Germany), as well as North American designers influenced by European aesthetics such as Evan Fay (USA), Rick Owens (USA) and Isac Elam Kaid (Canada). The Walker Tower exhibition reflects Galerie Philia’s eye for works that emanate from different cultures and transcend formal, stylistic, national and historical barriers.
“The main objective is to create a dialogue between the different pieces in a set up that reflects Galerie Philia’s style. In terms of colour palette, black, white and brass set the vibe of the main rooms. Primitive shapes and hand-crafted materials bring out an ethereal character that is consistent throughout the whole apartment. Our goal is to show that minimal doesn’t necessarily mean reductive. A rather different language comes out in the ‘pastel bedroom’ where everything is tinted pink, yellow and green. Chunky shapes and bold colours find their place in this room, bringing an unexpected playful touch”, explains Pietro Franceschini.
Limited edition pieces exclusively produced for the show include a striking candy-like pink chair by Studio Noon (USA-Russia), an elegant maple wood ottoman by Pietro Franceschini (Italy) and a sumptuous sculptural dining table by Cédric Breisacher (France). These are exhibited alongside gallery classics, such as the Infinity Alabaster Chandelier by Alain Ellouz (France) and Life on Earth by Rooms (Georgia), doubling up as both a stool and a side table and handcrafted in subvolcanic rock with a distinctly unique green colour and golden veins.
The Walker Tower exhibition reflects Galerie Philia’s eye for works that emanate from different cultures and transcend formal, stylistic, national and historical barriers. The collection on show unites a wide range of artistic worlds connected by their interculturalism and sheer artistic quality, regardless of their point of origin. Each work has an intrinsic aesthetic value which together create a constellation of visible relationships with no centrepiece. Resisting trends and time, this collection offers multiple permutations, adapting to ever changing interiors, sensibilities and lifestyles.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Sizar Alexis (Sweden-Iraq), AWARÉ - Sylvia Eustache Rools (France) x Jérôme Pereira (France), Frederik Bogaerts (Belgium) & Jochen Sablon (Belgium), Sander Bottinga (the Netherlands), Cédric Breisacher (France), Lorenzo Brinati (Italy), CCTAPIS (Mae Engelgeer (The Netherlands), Zanellato/Bortotto (Italy) and Faye Toogood (UK)), Pia Chevalier (France), Jojo Corväiá (Germany), Arno Declercq (Belgium), Nina Edwards Anker (Norway), Isac Elam Kaid (Canada), Alain Ellouz (France), Evan Fay (USA), Pietro Franceschini (Italy), Laurids Gallée (Austria), Laurène Guarneri (France), William Guillon (France), Roxane Lahidji (France), Paul Matter (India), Léa Mestres (France), Lucas Morten (Sweden), Studio Noon (USA-Russia), Rick Owens (USA), Jérôme Pereira (France), Jörg Pietschmann (Germany), Theo Pinto (Brazil), Fino Prydz (Norway), Rooms (Georgia), Frédéric Saulou (France), Vince Skelly (USA), Okurayama Studio (Japan) J.M. Szymanski (USA), Flora Temnouche (France), Elisa Uberti (France), Willem Van Hooff (the Netherlands) and Niclas Wolf (Germany).
