Chinatown, New York
Group Exhibition
The Odd Couple: American Art Furniture (1980-Now)
SuperhouseLucas Bourgine, Elizabeth Browning Jackson, Dan Friedman, Pippa Garner, Sean Gerstley, James Hong, Ficus Interfaith, Gloria Kisch, Garry Knox Bennett, Alex Locadia, Tom Loeser, Terence Main, Wendy Maruyama, Howard Meister, Kim Mupangilaï, Michele Oka Doner, Ellen Pong, Richard Snyder Superhouse is delighted to present an extensive survey show this summer, The Odd Couple: American Art Furniture (1980-Now). “Art. Furniture. Such apparently simple words – it’s amazing what happens when you put them together.” —Glenn Adamson, from his essay accompanying the exhibition. Art furniture is a central component of Superhouse’s programming. While the gallery has a global view, this exhibition narrows its focus to the US, exploring American artists’ tendencies, philosophies, narratives, and perspectives over the past four decades using furniture as a central component of their practices. The exhibition, designed by Andre Bahremand, combines historical pieces from the functional art movement of the 1980s, the studio craft movement spanning the 1980s through the 2000s, and contemporary sculpture. An essay by Glenn Adamson will accompany the show. The installation includes conceptually-minded furniture pieces by a trans-generational roster of artists who have all helped shaped the discpline. For example, Michele Oka Doner’s Palm Cosmos II (1993), cast using 40 pounds of sterling silver from palm leaves found in her native Miami; Bina (2023), a floor-standing light rendered in an abstract feminine form by Kim Mupangilaï; and Tom Loeser’s double-seater, sideways rocking chair Double Rocker Upright (2005). Additionally, other artists created sculptures that reference furniture in their form and subject matter. Pippa Garner’s Lampoon (1982-2021) comprises a typical floor lamp split in the middle with exposed wiring. A metal chain suspends the top half, powered by a hand crank that can lower it toward the bottom half to connect the wires and illuminate the bulb. Contemporary artist duo Ficus Interfaith offers Pool Table (2023), a trompe l’oeil billiards table done in cementitious terrazzo. Lucas Bourgine positions his double-sided photographic object Untitled (Lustre 1&2) (2023), depicting two different chandeliers in a custom-built frame on the ceiling, allowing viewers to gaze upward like they would for the real thing. Andre Bahremand is an Australian architect living in New York City with experience at Tiffany & Co, OMA, and MVRDV. He brings years of technical knowledge and a studied, creative eye to his projects. Bahremand’s installation concept for The Odd Couple is the first iteration of an ongoing relationship with Superhouse, to bring the gallery’s audience innovative art-viewing experiences.