Collecting Design with Felix Burrichter

Today, we opened the Spring 2019 edition of my flag program Collecting Design: History, Collections, Highlights, in its new home at the Center for Architecture/AIA, with a full class of architects, interior designers, collectors, and design enthusiasts. Every week I am hosting one expert: curators, collectors, dealers, auction specialists, writers, in highlighting the most current state of the collectible design world. At the first session, I hosted Felix Burrichter, the dynamic architect-trained curator and editor of PIN-UP Magazine, of which subtitle is ‘Magazine for Architectural Entertainment.’ I invited him to speak about a niche within the contemporary design market, which can recently found in such galleries as Friedman Benda; R & Company; Sothern Guild; Kraupa-Tuskany Zeidler; Company Gallery, and others. Last year, Burrichter, whose articles all resulting from original research, curatorial-oriented, closely related to the art market and to the worlds of design and architecture, devoted the issue to Mental Furniture, a term borrowed from graphic designer Dan Friedman (1945-95) who was active in lower-Manhattan during the 80s, and coined it to describe radical furniture created at that time, which carry strong emotional values. The article features the work of those contemporary designers, such as Rich Mnisi, Jessi Reaves, Misha Kahn, and Matt Ager who create today furniture that is subjected to similar values. To illuminate this type of furniture, Burrichter spoke about two exhibitions which he has recently curated: the Pavillon De L’Esprit Nouveau: A 21st-Century Show Home, a take on Le Corbusier’s famed pavilion at the Swiss Institute (2015); and Blow-Up at Friedman Benda (2019). And a big thank-you to Cultured Magazine and Design Think Tank for the support. Above: Bronze Table by Misha Kahn, courtesy Friedman Benda.

Katie Staut, courtesy R & Company

Jessi Reaves

Felix Burrichter

Pavillon De L’Esprit Nouveau: A 21st-Century Show Home

Blow Up at Friedman Benda