On view now at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) is an exhibition designed by collaborative artists Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel, and produced by their Belgian atelier, Studio Job. Featuring a total of 57 works from the last 15 years, the show, titled “Studio Job: MAD HOUSE,” is their first solo exhibition in an American museum, and takes up two floors. The presentation employs wallpaper and floor coverings with archetypal stonewall and wooden floor patterns, creating the immersive experience of a “private home,” Smeets explained.
The works themselves also involve archetypes and icons, adding whimsical twists or sobering imagery to every piece. Works from the studio’s “Landmark” series reinterpreted iconic buildings, such as Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower, into crumbling sculptures and drooping desk lamps, while other pieces, such as a horse bust vacuum cleaner, explores the relationship between art and functionality. Original sketches and designs are also included, unveiling the process behind some of the fully realized sculptures, alongside commissioned works being publically displayed for the first time. Some of the most eye-catching works included Burj Khalifa (2013-2014), a depiction of a Swarovski crystal-encrusted King Kong scaling the Dubai skyscraper; Chartres (2009-2012), a golden cross-shaped cabinet with a French cathedral backside; and Train Crash (2015), an autobiographical piece reflecting the end of the romantic relationship between the design duo.
Photo by Butcher WalshCourtesy of the Museum of Arts and Design
The exhibition is on view through August 21.
Installation view of “Studio Job MAD HOUSE,” 2016
