Spilling Genius
The impressive Spill design sits in the lobby of the Alexandria Center, a new building in New York City. The pieces have an area for seating with upright support and wide expanse area for bench seating. The structures were inspired by the human form, geometric flow, furniture functionality, and the interior space itself.
A word from designer Matthias Pliessnig
Throughout my career as an artist, I have straddled the concepts of craft, art and design. My work is a synergy of time-honoured techniques and modern digital aesthetic, using skills as a craftsman to bring my ideas to a designed reality. This current body of work exposes the boundary-pushing capabilities of an ancient material influenced by nature, the lines of a boat, and the beauty of fluid dynamics.
Much of the work is built with strips of wood evoking a sense of line drawing using the energies of dynamic paths and organic growth. The final vocabulary encourages a new conversation between materials, body and space. Each piece I make provokes a feeling of speed although it is a static form. The work is supported by tension of opposing forces — movement and stillness, calmness and unrestrained, natural energy. Also relevant is the tension between traditional materials and technological language.
We are at a place in time where technology and new materials are heavily influencing the creative fields. I believe in embracing technology as a tool and using it in conjunction with the mind and hand. In this perspective, my work is a hybrid of traditional and contemporary. My dialogue with the viewer is identifiable as a dialogue of the digital age.
Early in my art education I was attracted to wood for its natural beauty. Completing a piece was satisfying because the work had permanence and presence due to the integrity of the material. However, I was restricted by the rules and traditions of the material. I felt wood was rigid and unforgiving. At this time, I was beginning to use the computer to think through my ideas.
The computer has become an integral part of my process. I use 3D-modelling software to sketch the ideas and visualise the geometry. It has become my ambition to visualise energy and fluidity as a kind of modernity. As I continue forward, the evolution of my work keeps me excited. I see no end to the possibilities.
For more information:
Matthias Pliessnig
Website: www.matthias-studio.com
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