MATERIALIZATION
19 April - 22 September 2017, Vladivostok, Russia
Zarya’s exhibition «Materialization» brings together objects by 23 Russian designers and studios.
On April 18, the Zarya Center for Contemporary Art unveils its latest exhibition, «Materialization», which features fifty objects from twentythree young Russian designers and studios. In addition to introducing a wider publicto Russia product design, theshow seeks to weave the Far East region into the fabric of the co untry’s professional co mmunity, offering designers a platform for research into the local resources and traditional techniques of the region. The exhibition will be on view through September 17, 2017.
The objects presented within this exhibition are crafted from the most widely-used materials in contemporary Russian practice: wood, metal, stone and ceramics. Exhibition curator Tatiana Kudryavtseva proposes looking at this choice of materials as more than just the consequence of the limitations faced by the industry in Russia. In laying out the history of how these materials have been used to embody creative concepts, the exhibition touches on themes of the ecology of one’s immediate environment, mindful consumption, the ethical use of resources, and the revival of traditional techniques and local crafts. Dedicated to Russia artists working within the mold of «designer-entrepreneurs», the exhibition explores the blending of two distinct approaches to design: design as the manufacturing of serial objects, and design as the practice of producing handcrafted goods. Knowledge of the specific properties of the materials and the ability to uncover their potential are critical aspects in transforming a concept into a quality product with its own unique look and feel. At the same time, the modern take on traditionaltechniques (like, for instance, working with birchbark or dairy-glaze ceramics) invests concepts with a functional purpose. This show gathers together smaller-scale furniture pieces, lighting fixtures, accessories and tableware, with the overall exhibition design developed by St Petersburg-based architects, Rhizome.