The role of the design dealer has been gradually shaped since the birth of the collectible design world around the year 2000. It has since come to include a variety of specialized activities not much different than that of the art dealer, including collecting; encouraging scholarship and original research; publishing books; supporting emerging talents; demonstrating the power of living with good design; and always pushing towards new discoveries and new rediscoveries. Zesty Meyers, principal and co-founder (with Evan Snyderman) of R & Company, and the guest speaker in this week’s Collecting Design program at the Center for Architecture, is one of the leading pioneers in this niche, who has helped shaping the role of the design dealer as we know it today. Known for presenting unique objects crafted by those designing them, and mid-century American, Brazilian, and Scandinavian furniture, and for advancing the highest quality that design has achieved, Meyers has brought to discussion the stories behind the scenes at R & Company. He illustrated his talk by images of objects created by the roaster of talents from past and present represented by the gallery: Wendell Castle; Dana Barnes; Lina Bo Bardi; Rogan Gregory; Sebastian Errazuriz; Greta Manusson Grossman; Katie Stout; Thaddeus Wolfe; just to name a few. Meyers, who began as a glass artist, has built an enormously successful career by merging his interests in art/crafts, things made by hand which are also radical; the history of the American Crafts Movement, and the business of the arts, building a world-class expertise. His talk inspired and stimulated our interest in collecting, in keep increasing our knowledge, and in appreciating life with great design. Thank you, Zesty Meyers for a brilliant presentation, and for your constant passion and contribution to education.
