Blue Unites Marc Newson’s Exhibit at the Gagosian

By: Kelly Beall

Renowned contemporary designer Marc Newson creates some truly groundbreaking work, including the limited-edition furniture that’s currently on exhibit at the Gagosian in Paris. Exploring form and medium, Newson tests what classic materials are capable of through the use of advanced fabrication. Through this experimentation, he brings together the past and present. In this exhibition, the uniting quality throughout is the color blue.

curved lounge with blue pattern on white on a white background

Marc Newson Cloisonné White and Blue Lounge, 2022, Cloisonné enamel and copper, 30 x 69 11/16 x 30 11/16 in (76.2 x 177 x 77.9 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Paris Tavitian, Courtesy Gagosian

“Design is about improving things and about looking to the future, pushing the technology forward. For me, as a designer, it is a great opportunity to improve on what is already out there, to simplify, beautify, and technologically improve,” Newson said of his approach.

detail of curved lounge with blue pattern on white on a white background

armchair with blue pattern on white on a white background

Marc Newson Cloisonné White and Blue Chair, 2022, Cloisonné enamel and copper, 26 3/16 x 40 3/16 x 37 3/16 in (66.5 x 102 x 94.5 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Paris Tavitian, Courtesy Gagosian

The exhibition at the Gagosian features five pieces of Newson’s work, the most impactful of which might be the “White and Blue Lounge” and the “Cloisonné White and Blue Chair” (both 2022). The two pieces of seating show off the designer’s masterful use of shape and surface, their copper structures decorated with white and blue cloisonné in Newson’s signature circle and molecular “orgone.” It’s exciting to see a technique traditionally used for smaller pieces taking on something of this scale. Artisans in Beijing apply cloisins to the forms, inlay the enamel, then fire each piece up to 12 times in custom-made kilns.

detail of armchair with blue pattern on white on a white background

blue and white glass chair with symmetrical seat and base on white background

Marc Newson Blue Glass Chair, 2017, Cast glass, 29 1/8 x 27 1/4 x 21 5/8 in (74 x 69.1 x 54.9 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Jaroslav Kvíz, Courtesy Gagosian

Solid cast glass makes up the seat and base of “Blue Glass Chair” (2017). Blue on top and uncolored on the bottom, the two quarter-spheres mirror each other in position. The uncolored base manages to absorb and reflect some of the blue that lives above it. With this chair Newson continues to push the material further, requiring a month-long process spent in a large glass oven to complete.

detail of blue and white glass chair with symmetrical seat and base on white background

Marc Newson Blue Glass Chair, 2017, Cast glass, 29 1/8 x 27 1/4 x 21 5/8 in (74 x 69.1 x 54.9 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Jaroslav Kvíz, Courtesy Gagosian

blue console table made from one continuous piece of material on white background

Marc Newson Extruded Ribbon Console, 2022, Azul Macaubas, 29 1/2 x 90 9/16 x 15 3/4 in (75 x 230 x 40 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Paris Tavitian, Courtesy Gagosian

Newson’s “Extruded Ribbon Console” (2022) is carved from a single piece of Azul Macaubas stone. This approach highlights its striated azure tones, while also creating a pleasing amount of negative space. First conceived as a flat curvilinear shape, it’s been brought into three dimensions that further define its form.

Marc Newson Extruded Ribbon Console, 2022, Azul Macaubas, 29 1/2 x 90 9/16 x 15 3/4 in (75 x 230 x 40 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Paris Tavitian, Courtesy Gagosian

detail of blue console table made from one continuous piece of material on white background

Marc Newson Extruded Ribbon Console, 2022, Azul Macaubas, 29 1/2 x 90 9/16 x 15 3/4 in (75 x 230 x 40 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Paris Tavitian, Courtesy Gagosian

white surfboard leaning against a white wall

Marc Newson Clear Surfboard, 2017, Aluminum, 72 13/16 x 16 5/16 x 5 11/16 in (185 x 41.5 x 14.5 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Robert McKeever, Courtesy Gagosian

Finally, there’s “Clear Surfboard” (2017), a prototype created for surfer Garrett McNamara. The aluminum design provides more stability than a conventional fiberglass board and features a light geometric pattern on its surface.

detail of white surfboard leaning against a white wall

Marc Newson Clear Surfboard, 2017, Aluminum, 72 13/16 x 16 5/16 x 5 11/16 in (185 x 41.5 x 14.5 cm), Edition of 3 + 2 AP \\\ © Marc Newson, Photo: Robert McKeever, Courtesy Gagosian

To learn more about Marc Newson’s exhibit at the Gagosian, visit gagosian.com.

FreshRSS

Blue Unites Marc Newson’s Exhibit at the Gagosian