Transcendence seems to be key when describing art design forerunner Wendell Castle‘s iconic sculptural furniture but perhaps also in blending of past and present – the curatorial line behind his latest retrospective at New York’s Museum of Arts & Design (MAD). Spread across two dramatic dark-green-clad floors of the museum’s Columbus Circle tower, the Ron Labaco – Marcia Docter Senior Curator – devised exhibition features 15 works from the late 195’s through the 1960s that continue onto 16 recently ‘remastered’ pieces – created using the artist’s new “Mr. Chipper’ robotic arm. Especially created for this occasion, Castle sought out only employ the new technology for a specific portion of his process; stead fast in his hands-on drawing and modelling practice. A laser scanned cut and carved maquette before translating them into digital drawings, later CNC-ed into the same rich plethora of wood, Castle has used since the beginning of his career. For the artist, such a tool allows for more complexity in detail and larger forms but doesn’t always replace his chainsaw. Tables, benches and tables twist, undulate and morph into sublimely organic shapes, however functional. He still employs his tried and mastered lacquered-wood technique that ultimately assures sturdiness and longevity. Complex densities of layers and grain patterns render combined convex, concave,conical and spherical elements. Videos and mocks-up of different production stages reveal both of the Castle’s old and new processes. Many pieces on show were provided by New York-based gallery Friedman Benda.
Wendell Castle Remastered runs till 28 February 2016 at MAD: 2 Columbus Circle, New York
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