Max Lamb is known for his direct yet playful approach to working with materials, as shown in his third solo show at Salon 94 Design that’s on exhibit through September 11th. Its title – Wood, Stone – represents the two bodies of work it includes, one using western red cedar and the other stone. Both use ancient and modern techniques to reach their finished state.
One half of the exhibition displays monolithic stone chairs from four separate series Lamb has created. Rotating 360• Tonalite Boulders introduce his engineered steel bearings, while a rare pair of Dolomite boulder chairs showcase the geological composition of the Western Dolomite mountains, which resemble a natural terrazzo. The Campione chair prototype uses over a dozen techniques, sampling the techniques of stone working, and finally a Feather and Wedge Chair that begins as a slab of Tonalite and hewed using the ancient stone splitting technique known as feather and wedge. Each of Lamb’s cuts makes two pieces, leaving zero waste behind.
Each chair, stool and bench in Lamb’s western red wood series begins with sold planks that are hand-marked and cut into segments with the whole resembling a puzzle. The pieces are rearranged to create a functioning piece of furniture, then mortise and tenon jointing are used to put it together. Every wood plank retains its original mass after the seating has been reconfigured. “Each cut is mapped out and the consequence of the cut is processed before the incision is made, every cut and part generated is essential,” he said. “Each move is considered, exact and focused whilst also requiring a view on the macro, the whole, the end game.”
Max Lamb: Wood, Stone is on view by appointment at 3 East 89th Street, New York City through September 11th. Visit salon94.com/visit to schedule your appointment.
Kelly Beall is senior editor at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based graphic designer and writer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, and enjoys sharing her finds with others. When undistracted by great art and design, she can be found making a mess in the kitchen, consuming as much information as possible, or on the couch with her three pets. Find her @designcrush on social.
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