Architects Contemporary art
Vito Acconci was an American artist, designer, and architect. He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of performance art and for his provocative installations that explore the relationship between the human body and space.
Acconci received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Cross College in 1962. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Acconci became known for his groundbreaking performance works, which often involved the artist subjecting his own body to various forms of physical and psychological stress.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Acconci shifted his focus to installation art, creating immersive environments that challenged viewers' perceptions of space and their own bodies. He also worked as a designer and architect, creating public sculptures and buildings around the world.
Acconci's work has been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Venice Biennale. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to contemporary art, including the Skowhegan Medal for Sculpture in 1995.
His legacy as an influential and provocative artist continues to be felt in the contemporary art world today.
Peter Alexander was an American artist who was part of the Light and Space artistic movement in southern California in the 1960s. He is notable for his resin sculptures from the 1960s and 1970s. He studied architecture in England before receiving both his BFA and MFA from the University of California, Los Angeles. Alexander started as an architect, before developing a reputation in the 1960s for creating his sculptures.
Valery Vladimirovich Androsov (Russian: Валерий Владимирович Андросов) is a Soviet and contemporary Russian artist. He is known as a sculptor, architect, designer, painter, graphic artist and teacher.
Valery Androsov creates landscapes, still lifes and portraits, as well as fantasy works. He is also known as the author of a large collection of ex-libris that accurately convey the character and interests of book owners. At different periods he served as chief artist of the Mosstroiplastmass Combine and director of the Mytishchi Picture Gallery. He also created monuments to those who died in the Great Patriotic War and to the pilots of the Mytishchi Aero Club, showing his skill in various artistic directions.
Ron Arad (Hebrew: רון ארד) is a contemporary Israeli-born artist, architect, and designer known for his innovative and boundary-pushing creations.
Throughout his career, Arad has explored various materials and techniques, embracing both handcrafted and technological processes. His designs often blur the boundaries between art and design, challenging conventional notions of form and function. Arad's furniture pieces are characterized by their sculptural qualities, organic shapes, and a sense of fluidity.
Shusaku Arakawa was a Japanese conceptual artist and architect. He had a personal and artistic partnership with the writer and artist Madeline Gins that spanned more than four decades in which they collaborated on a diverse range of visual mediums, including: painting & printmaking, experimental filmmaking, performance art, and architectural & landscape design.
Carlo Bartoli is an Italian architect and designer. Author of numerous projects, such as the Gaia chair, included in the permanent design collection of the MoMA in New York and the Milan Triennale Design Museum, and the 4875 chair for Kartell, the world's first made of polypropylene, as well as part of the design collection of the Pompidou Center in Paris.
Mario Bellini is an Italian architect and designer. After graduating from the Polytechnic University of Milan in 1959, Bellini pursued a career as an architect, exhibition designer, product designer, and furniture designer, during the Italian economic boom of the late 20th century. Bellini has received several accolades in a variety of design fields, including eight Compasso d'Oro awards, and the Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement by the Triennale di Milano. In 2019, the Italian President of the Chamber of Deputies, Roberto Fico, awarded Bellini a career medal, in recognition of his contributions to Italian architecture and design.
Michel Boyer was one of the last great interior designers who remained true to the principles of modernity.
Boyer collaborated with Dior, Lanvin, Balmain and designed interiors for hotels, embassies and numerous corporate headquarters. His private clients have included Elie de Rothschild, Liliane Betancourt and Karim Aga Khan.
Alfredo Castañeda was a Mexican surrealist painter.
Castañeda had been interested in painting and drawing since childhood, but first became an architect, earning a degree in architecture from the University of Mexico. During his studies, he continued to paint as a hobby, which he became more and more serious about over the years. At university, Alfredo became acquainted with the painter, sculptor and architect Matthias Goeritz, as well as the work of René Magritte. Both played a huge role in the young artist's worldview.
After his studies, Castañeda worked as an architect and in 1969 had his first solo exhibition at Galeria de Arte Mexicano. His work has also been shown internationally numerous times in the United States and in many Latin American countries, including Mexico. His work is collected in collections and museums throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Alfredo Castañeda is known for his surrealist paintings, often portraits. The same character appears in many of his paintings, sometimes revealed in multiple versions of himself. This person (often resembling the artist himself) seems to be engaged in an endless dialog with himself, involving the viewer as well.
Fabrizio Clerici was an Italian painter, draftsman, illustrator, scenographer and architect.
Clerici earned a degree in architecture and was greatly influenced by antiquities, Renaissance and Baroque painting and architecture. In 1943, Clerici held his first solo exhibition at the Galleria dell'Arte Cairola in Milan, featuring drawings, watercolors, lithographs and etchings. His first book illustrations belong to the same period.
In 1947, Clerici began a prolific career in theater, ballet and opera with his debut as a stage designer in a production of George Bernard Shaw's play Mrs. Warren's Profession. The following year he participated for the first time in the Venice Biennale. There he met Salvador Dalí and created the sets and costumes for Igor Stravinsky's Orpheus, which was performed at the La Fenice Theater. In 1949 he created large-scale architectural fantasy paintings.
The further life of the multifaceted artist Fabrizio Clerici was full of work in a variety of fields of art, creative successes and exhibitions. His work has been exhibited in many museums in the United States, including MoMA and the Guggenheim Museum, as well as in France, such as the Pompidou Center.
Ludovico Dias de Santigliana is an Italian artist, architect and designer.
He married Anna Venini, daughter of Paolo Venini, and became general director of Venini & C. after the owner's death and until 1985, when with the same responsibilities he moved to EOS, for which he designed a number of important collections.
Maurizio Duranti is a contemporary Italian artist, architect and designer. He is engaged in industrial design, designing for numerous companies in all sectors of the home. Duranti is a ten-time winner of the Chicago Good Design Award and was honoured at the Compasso d'Oro in Milan.
Charles Ormond Eames Jr. was an American designer, architect and filmmaker. In professional partnership with his spouse Ray Kaiser Eames, he was responsible for groundbreaking contributions in the field of architecture, furniture design, industrial design, manufacturing and the photographic arts.
Ray-Bernice Alexandra Eames was an American artist and designer who worked in a variety of media.
In creative partnership with her husband Charles Eames and The Eames Office, she was responsible for groundbreaking contributions in the fields of architecture, graphic design, textile design, film, and furniture. The Eames Office is most famous for its furniture, which is still being made today. Together, the Eameses are considered one of the most influential creative forces of the twentieth century.
During her lifetime, Ray Kaiser Eames was given notably less credit than she has been given posthumously in art and design literature, museum shows, and documentaries.
Ahmet Ertug is a Turkish architectural photographer and publisher.
He was trained as an architect at the Architectural School of the Architectural Association in London, but developed a passion for photography.
Researching traditional architecture in Japan, Ertug traveled extensively throughout the country and photographed ancient temples, Zen gardens, and traditional festivals. Ertug photographed many of Istanbul's architectural and archaeological structures with Ottoman, Roman and Catholic influences. He founded a publisher of fine art books, and his national fame increased dramatically when he began publishing his photographs in lavish art books. Since then, Ertug's publishing house has published more than 30 such collections. Ertug has also photographed extensively the famous American libraries.
Salvatore Fiume is an Italian artist known for his diverse talents including painting, sculpture, ceramics and graphic design.
Salvatore Fiume's artistic style has evolved throughout his career, reflecting various influences. Fiume's paintings are characterised by vivid colours, dynamic brushwork and a sense of emotional intensity. He was also a skilled sculptor and created many sculptures in different materials.
Kurt Fleckenstein is a German artist/sculptor associated with land art, minimal art and installation art. Fleckenstein was born in Heddesheim near Mannheim in Baden-Württemberg. His earlier career in landscape architecture, regional planning and horticultural art led to the establishment of several architectural studios in Germany, Austria and Poland. Since 2003 he has worked as a freelance artist with a focus on spatial objects and installations in exhibition centres and public open space. His provocative art form is designed to charm, irritate and challenge the viewer to question and compare “idealism with realism” on major social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. Fleckenstein now divides his home and work life between Mannheim, Germany and Wroclaw, Poland.
Gianfranco Frattini was an Italian architect and designer. He is a member of the generation that created the Italian design movement in the late 1950s through the 1960s and is considered to have played a major role in shaping it.
Ernst Fuchs was an Austrian painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, architect, stage designer, composer, poet, and one of the founders of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism. In 1972, he acquired the derelict Otto Wagner Villa in Hütteldorf, which he restored and transformed. The villa was inaugurated as the Ernst Fuchs Museum in 1988.
Julio Galán was a Mexican artist and architect. Galán was one of Latin America's neo-expressionist painters of the end of the last century and the beginning of this one. His paintings and collages are full of elements that usually represent his life.
Nicolás García Uriburu was an Argentine contemporary artist, landscape architect, and ecologist. His work in land art was aimed at raising consciousness about environmental issues such as water pollution.
Aleksandr Mikhailovich Gerasimov (Russian: Алекса́ндр Миха́йлович Гера́симов) was a Russian and Soviet painter, born on August 12, 1881, in Kozlov (now Michurinsk), in the Tambov Governorate of the Russian Empire. He is best recognized for his leading role in promoting socialist realism in visual arts, notably through his portraits of Joseph Stalin and other Soviet leaders. Gerasimov's education at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture honed his skills, guided by masters like K.A. Korovin, A.E. Arkhipov, and V.A. Serov. His style, a blend of academic realism with impressionistic influences, vividly depicted the Russian landscape, leaders, and the daily life of the Soviet era.
His works, rich in emotionality and composition mastery, span across various themes from state portraits to landscapes and still lifes, showcasing a deep love for the Russian landscape's innate beauty. Gerasimov's contributions to art include not only significant political portraits but also captivating scenes of nature and life in Russia, marked by their emotional depth and vibrant colors. His paintings like "Stalin and Voroshilov in the Kremlin" won him the Stalin Prize in 1941, cementing his status in Soviet art history.
Gerasimov's artistry extends beyond his political work; his landscapes and portrayals of Russian expanses convey a deep lyrical sentiment, reflecting his profound connection and love for his homeland. His mastery across various mediums—oil, watercolor, gouache, and more—allowed him to explore and express a wide range of subjects, from portraits and landscapes to still lifes, showcasing his versatility and depth as an artist.
For those interested in the intersection of art and history, Aleksandr Mikhailovich Gerasimov's work offers a fascinating window into Soviet-era Russia, its leaders, and its landscapes. To stay updated on exhibitions and sales of Gerasimov's works, sign up for updates specifically focused on new product sales and auction events related to this distinguished artist.
Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect, was a pioneering figure in architecture, known for her revolutionary designs and as the first woman to receive the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. Born in Baghdad in 1950, Zaha Hadid's passion for architecture was influenced by her early experiences in Iraq and her studies in mathematics at the American University of Beirut. She further honed her skills at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, where she was part of a milieu that challenged traditional architectural norms.
Zaha Hadid's architecture is celebrated for its bold, futuristic forms, often described as being ahead of her time. Her design ethos defied conventional architectural geometry, earning her the nickname "Queen of Curves." Her notable projects include the London Aquatics Centre, the MAXXI Museum in Rome, and the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, each characterized by fluidity and innovative spatial concepts.
Zaha Hadid Architects, the firm she founded, continues to push architectural boundaries, reflecting her legacy in numerous global projects, from cultural centers to infrastructural marvels. Despite her passing in 2016, Hadid's influence persists, inspiring a new generation of architects to explore the intersections of design, technology, and art.
For enthusiasts and collectors in art and architecture, Zaha Hadid's work serves as a beacon of innovation and creativity, illustrating the power of architecture to shape experiences and environments. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards, solidifying her status as a transformative figure in contemporary architecture.
To stay updated on exhibitions or events related to Zaha Hadid's work, consider subscribing to updates from architectural institutions or galleries that showcase her legacy and ongoing influences in the field.
Christian Heuchel is a German artist, architect, urban planner and professor.
He studied architecture in Karlsruhe and architecture at the Düsseldorf Academy of Art, where he has taught since 2000. Heuchel has been with the O&O Baukunst office since 2000, took over the Cologne office in 2006 and has been a partner of O&O Baukunst Berlin/Cologne/Vienna since 2011.
Herbert Hirche was a German architect, interior and furniture designer and educator.
Hirche studied at the famous Bauhaus school in Dessau and Berlin, where Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Wassily Kandinsky taught. Trained as a carpenter, he first worked for Mies, Egon Eiermann and Hans Scharun before being appointed professor of applied art at the University of Applied Arts in Berlin-Weißensee in 1948. Four years later he became professor of interior and furniture design at the Stuttgart State Academy of Fine Arts. During his years of teaching, Hirche has educated generations of designers.
In addition to teaching, Hirche designed many homes and interiors. He designed furniture for Walter Knoll, Wilkhahn, Holzäpfel and Wilde+Spieth, as well as several projects for Braun, including the HM5-7 music cabinet and the HF1 television set. Hirche's simple and elegant models were exhibited at various Milan Triennales and the 1958 World Exhibition in Brussels. His work had a great influence on the development of product and interior design in Germany and the world.
Hirche was one of the founders of the Deutscher Werkbund (German Association of Craftsmen) in Berlin, was president of the Verband Deutscher Industrie-Designer (Society of Industrial Designers) for ten years, and was a member of the Rat für Formgebung (German Design Council).
Arne Emil Jacobsen is a Danish architect and designer, the founder of the Danish Functionalism style.
He studied at the School of Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and began working as an architect in the 1930s. Inspired by Art Nouveau, he designed several public buildings, including the Aarhus City Hall. In collaboration with Flemming Lassen, he first created a comprehensive overall interior design, including furniture, fixtures, plumbing and other details. After World War II, Arne Jacobsen made a name for himself both in Denmark and around the world.
For six decades, Arne Jacobsen was at the forefront of Danish architecture, creating visionary works of architecture that still look contemporary today. His projects often included both the building itself and the overall interior design as well as the design of the surrounding landscape. The combination of architecture and design is one of the constant characteristics of Arne Jacobsen's work. In projects such as the SAS Royal Hotel (1960) and St. Catherine's College in Oxford (1964), he not only created the architecture, but also designed every detail of the interiors, turning them into a true work of art.
In addition to architectural structures, Arne Jacobsen created a number of highly original chairs and other furniture. From his studio came avant-garde and innovative furniture, lamps, patterns, clocks, cutlery and glassware that are still in demand today.
Peter Keler is a German designer, graphic artist and architect.
Keler began his training at the Kiel School of Applied Arts and then studied at the Bauhaus in Weimar under Oskar Schlemmer and Wassily Kandinsky. He also designed the study of Walter Gropius, then director of the Bauhaus. In 1923, at the first Bauhaus exhibition, Keler presented a baby cradle of his own design, which later became a symbol of the Bauhaus: its design is based on Wassily Kandinsky's synesthetic theory of color and form and consists of a circle, triangle and square. In the same year, the artist became a member of the active Bauhaus group KURI; the movement as a whole was characterized by functionality and conformity to mass production. Then in Weimar he founded his own studio for painting, advertising posters and design.
In 1937 the Nazi Party in Germany banned Keler from exhibiting, but he worked as a freelance architect in Berlin and as a designer for the film company Tobis. At the end of the war, Keler accepted an invitation to the newly founded Weimar School of Architecture and Visual Arts, modeled after the Bauhaus, where he taught drawing, design, and architecture for many years.
Keler's work is still popular and sought after today due to its attractive simplicity. Interior objects designed by Keler, such as chairs and cradles, have been so successful that they are still sold by the German company Tecta.
Bertrand Lavier is a French conceptual artist, painter and sculptor, belonging to the post-readymade era, inspired by the Duchampian legacy and the Nouveau réalisme, the artistic movement created by the art critic Pierre Restany in 1960. Lavier studied at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Horticulture in Versailles, France in 1968-1971.
Lazar Markovich Lissitzky (Russian: Ла́зарь Ма́ркович Лиси́цкий) was a pivotal figure in the avant-garde art movement of the early 20th century, whose contributions spanned across multiple disciplines including painting, architecture, and graphic design. Born in Pochinok, Russian Empire (now in Smolensk Oblast, Russia), Lissitzky is renowned for his profound influence on the development of Constructivism, a movement characterized by the integration of technology and industry into the arts.
Lissitzky's work is distinguished by its innovative use of geometric forms, bold colors, and dynamic compositions, which sought not only to reflect the modern industrial world but also to actively participate in shaping it. His artworks and theories were instrumental in bridging the gap between the avant-garde movements in Russia and Western Europe, facilitating a cross-cultural exchange that enriched the development of modern art. Among his most notable contributions are his "Proun" series, an acronym for "Project for the Affirmation of the New" in Russian, which encapsulates his vision of art as a transformative social force.
His legacy is preserved in some of the world's most prestigious museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Russian State Museum in Saint Petersburg. These institutions house key works that exemplify Lissitzky's groundbreaking approach to art and design, making them a focal point for collectors and experts in the field of art and antiques.
For those deeply invested in the evolution of modern art and its profound impact on culture and society, Lissitzky's work offers invaluable insights into the creative exploration of form and space. His contributions continue to inspire contemporary artists and designers, emphasizing the enduring relevance of his vision.
We invite collectors and art experts to sign up for updates on new product sales and auction events related to Lazar Markovich Lissitzky. This subscription is an opportunity to stay informed about the latest acquisitions and offerings that celebrate the legacy of a visionary artist whose work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Vico Magistretti was an Italian industrial designer, known as a furniture designer and architect. A collaborator of humanist architect Ernesto Nathan Rogers, one of Magistretti's first projects was the "poetic" round church in the experimental Milan neighborhood of QT8. He later designed mass-produced appliances and furniture for companies such as Cassina S.p.A., and won several awards, including the Gold Medal of the Chartered Society of Industrial Artists & Designers in 1986.
Sergey Vasilyevich Malyutin (Russian: Сергей Васильевич Малютин) was a distinguished Russian painter, architect, and designer, celebrated for his multifaceted contributions to the world of art and design. Born in Moscow in 1859 to a merchant family, Malyutin's artistic journey began after an exhibition by the Peredvizhniki inspired him to pursue art. His formal education at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture honed his talents, leading to a diverse career that spanned painting, set design for operas and ballets, and architectural endeavors.
Malyutin is perhaps best known internationally for designing the first matryoshka doll in 1890, a seminal work that has become an iconic symbol of Russian culture. His involvement in the Arts and Crafts Movement influenced his work, integrating traditional Russian folk motifs into his designs and paintings. Notably, his architectural designs, including the Church of the Holy Spirit in Talashkino and the Pertsov House in Moscow, showcase his dedication to the Russian Revival movement, blending fantastic folk motifs with architectural creativity.
Throughout his career, Malyutin also played a significant role in education, teaching at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and advocating for Socialist Realism. His contributions to Russian art were not limited to his creations; he was instrumental in founding the Association of Artists of Revolutionary Russia, emphasizing the importance of art in societal development.
For those interested in exploring the legacy of Sergey Malyutin, his works offer a window into the fusion of traditional Russian art with the innovative currents of his time. Collectors and experts in art and antiques will find his contributions to Russian arts and crafts, especially his role in the creation of the matryoshka doll, to be of particular interest.
To stay updated on exhibitions and auction events featuring Sergey Vasilyevich Malyutin's work, sign up for updates. This subscription is an invaluable resource for enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of Malyutin's impact on Russian art and design.
Roberto Sebastian Antonio Matta Echaurren was a Chilean artist, renowned for his significant contributions to the art world, particularly in painting and sculpture. As a figure deeply embedded in the realms of surrealism and abstract expressionism, Matta's works are celebrated for their complex, otherworldly landscapes and a profound exploration of the subconscious and architecture of the mind. His artistry is marked by fluid, organic forms and a masterful use of color, which set him apart as a visionary in the 20th century.
Matta's influence extended beyond the canvas, impacting the development of both European and American art scenes. His innovative techniques and philosophical inquiries into the nature of reality and human consciousness pushed the boundaries of traditional art forms, making him a pivotal figure among surrealists and later, abstract expressionists. Matta's work is characterized by its evocative, dream-like quality, and his ability to translate psychological concepts into visual spectacles has left a lasting legacy in the art world.
Among his renowned works, Matta's paintings are held in prestigious museums and galleries worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London. These institutions house pieces that showcase his unique blend of surrealism and abstract expressionism, offering art lovers and collectors a glimpse into his profound and imaginative universe. For those fascinated by the convergence of culture, art, and psychology, Matta's oeuvre presents an inexhaustible source of exploration and inspiration.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, the legacy of Roberto Sebastian Antonio Matta Echaurren offers a rich field of discovery and appreciation. His contributions to the realms of painting and sculpture continue to resonate, providing deep insights into the capabilities of artistic expression. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Matta's works, we invite you to sign up for updates. This subscription is your gateway to the latest in the world of this unparalleled artist, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to engage with the art and culture that Matta so vividly represented.
Gordon Matta-Clark is an American photographic artist known for his subject-oriented art.
He studied architecture at Cornell University and literature at the Sorbonne in Paris.
Gordon Matta-Clark has used various media in his work, including film, video and photography.
Georg Muche was a German painter, graphic artist, designer and architect.
He began his studies in Munich at the School of Painting and Drawing, continuing in Berlin in 1915. Already influenced by Wassily Kandinsky and Max Ernst, he became one of the first proponents of abstract art in Germany. In Berlin, Georg Muche began collaborating with the expressionist painter Gerwart Walden (1879-1941) and his artist group Sturm.
In 1919 Walter Gropius appointed Muche to the Bauhaus in Weimar, where he became its youngest master. He also ran a weaving workshop in Dessau. In 1926, the Metal Prototype House on the Dessau-Törten estate was built to a design developed in collaboration with the architecture student Richard Paulik. From 1939 to 1958 Georg Muche worked in Krefeld, teaching a master class in textile design at the engineering school.
George Nelson was an American industrial designer. While lead designer for the Herman Miller furniture company, Nelson and his design studio, George Nelson Associates, designed 20th-century modernist furniture. He is considered a founder of American modernist design.
Oscar Ribeiro de Almeida Niemeyer Soares Filho was a Brazilian architect considered to be one of the key figures in the development of modern architecture. Niemeyer was best known for his design of civic buildings for Brasília, a planned city that became Brazil's capital in 1960, as well as his collaboration with other architects on the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. His exploration of the aesthetic possibilities of reinforced concrete was highly influential in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Both lauded and criticized for being a "sculptor of monuments", Niemeyer was hailed as a great artist and one of the greatest architects of his generation by his supporters. He said his architecture was strongly influenced by Le Corbusier, but in an interview, assured that this "didn't prevent [his] architecture from going in a different direction".
Katsuhito Nishikawa is a Japanese-German artist, sculptor, designer and architect.
After studying in Japan, he received degrees from the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and the State Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf. He currently lives and works as a visual artist and furniture designer at Insel Hombroich in Neuss, Germany. Katsuhito Nishikawa is also a visiting professor at the art universities of Hamburg (Germany) and Reims (France).
Driss Ouadahi is an architect and artist originally from Morocco who lives and works in Germany.
He studied at the Hochschule für Beaux-Arts in Algiers and at the Düsseldorf Academy of Art. The abstract architectural forms in Ouadahi's work are surprisingly a response to the buildings of real Algerian houses.
