Morris, London-based design editor and critic has co-curated a landmark exhibition ‘Mess: Expressionism and Experimentation in Contemporary Ceramics
‘ at the Future/Casa Perfect, with the gallery’s Director Laura Young. It seeks to present the rich and multifaceted creativity, and radical waves in the world of clay art through the work of dozens and artists from across the globe. New directions, unconventional techniques, rule-breaking approaches to clay, and a playful aesthetic have created a renewed optimism in the new reinvention of the ancient discipline, demonstrating that the craft has moved away from anything known before.This morning, I was hosted by David Alhadeff, the dynamic founder of The Future Perfect, a leading gallery devoted to contemporary design with three locations in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. What I found stunning and enjoyable when visiting the show Mess is the diversity of techniques and expressions, the innovation of languages and ideas. Each one of the artists represented in the show has a back story. Whether accomplished, mid-career, of unknown, whether working in small or large scale, whether presenting functional or sculptural objects, the combined body of work demonstrates that contemporary ceramics is about pushing the material, exploring new ideas, about conceptions, narratives, and the craft. The installation on concrete blocks is fresh, enhancing the ceramics through blending clay and concrete. My only complaint concerns the title of the show. I don’t like ‘Mess.’ I found so many common threads in the exhibited work. Mess is not one of them.
The exhibition, a wonderful celebration of the art of clay, is taking place in the three location of the Gallery, in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Run. Above: Tube Chair by Bari Ziperstein.
