Intersect Aspen 2021 closes later today at the Aspen Ice Garden. Led by Becca Hoffman, the fair of 30 exhibitors from 26 cities is a carefully curated presentation of art and design objects from emerging and established talent working with various mediums and contexts. Special for the show is a presentation by Friedman Benda, which welcomes an array of media, including glass, ceramics, furniture, and design objects by names like Daniel Arsham, Misha Kahn, Estudio Campana, Thaddeus Wolfe, Adam Silverman, Andile Dyalvane, Andrea Branzi, and Wendell Castle.
Whitewall spoke with the gallery’s partner Jennifer Olshin to hear what you can’t miss at the booth and how the past year increased her appreciation for the “why?,” “who?,” and “how?,” questions of art.
Portrait of Jennifer Olshin courtesy of Friedman Benda.
WHITEWALL: What can we expect from Friedman Benda’s presentation at Intersect Aspen this year?
JENNIFER OLSHIN: We’re bringing a family of objects that show the intersectionality of contemporary design. From glass, ceramic, tapestry, and bronze, to new materials, the inherent ideologies show fluidity and multidisciplinary thinking and working.
WW: How has the past year amid the pandemic impacted your view on the importance of art?
JO: We all witnessed how the pandemic heightened awareness of art as communication. In design, we saw the rise of personal identity, the relinquishing of ingrained boundaries, a consideration of the earth and its resources, and full-on escapism. It also made us look deeper into society and focus on the stories behind the works. Why, how, who, became more important than immediate market forces.
Courtesy of Intersect Aspen.
WW: For this presentation, you’re debuting ceramic designs of gallery newcomer Carmen D’Apollonio. Can you tell us about these?
JO: Carmen’s work has quiet force, uncanny humor and you always know it’s hers when you see it. Her sculptural forms are reduced, labored and almost accidentally functional (most are lights or pots).
Wendell Castle at Friedman Benda, courtesy of the gallery and Intersect Art and Design.
WW: The gallery is presenting a handful of stunning works including design unique furniture pieces and design objects by Wendell Castle, Misha Kahn, and Estudio Campana. What are your not-to-miss picks?
JO: Daniel Arsham’s suite of India Lounge Chairs, conceived for his mid-century Norman Jaffe house. And Fallen and Risen by Wendell Castle, a monumental bronze that feels like it fell out of Tolkien’s Middle Earth, and only once shown before at the Nelson Atkins Museum. Also, Joris Laarman’s Light Matter, which has never been publicly shown.
WW: What are you looking forward to most about being in Aspen this summer?
JO: The installation of Precious Okoyomon’s my heart makes my head swim (ditto, ditto battle angel), on the roof of The Aspen Art Museum.
