Ron Arad - Disruptors: Evening Sale of 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Design and Watches Hong Kong Thursday, May 25, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Galerie Mourmans, Maastricht
    Private Collection, Netherlands
    Christie's London, 19 October 2008, lot 8
    Acquired from the above by the present owner

  • Literature

    Deyan Sudjic, Ron Arad Restless Furniture, New York, 1989, pp. 53, 106-7
    Ron Arad: Sticks & Stones: One Offs & Short Runs, exh. cat., Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, 1995, pp. 2-3, 78-79
    Deyan Sudjic, Ron Arad, London, 1999, p. 54
    Ron Arad: A Retrospective Exhibition 1981-2001, exh. cat., Barry Friedman Ltd., New York, 2005, pp. 78-79, 80, 82-83
    Paola Antonelli et al., Ron Arad: No Discipline, exh. cat., Centre Pompidou, Paris, 2008, pp. 78-79

  • Catalogue Essay

    The 'Big Easy Volume 2' armchair showcases Ron Arad’s boundary-pushing creative approach and ability to blur the lines between art and design. This limited-edition piece was designed in 1988 and is a striking manifestation of the designer’s ability to blend raw materials, form, and functionality in a bold and captivating manner. The armchair is crafted from a combination of polished stainless steel which gives the piece a strong contemporary aesthetic, and patinated mild steel which adds depth and character.

    Ron Arad's design language is rooted in experimentation and subverting conventional norms. He often challenges the limitations of materials and manufacturing techniques to create innovative and thought-provoking pieces that command attention in any interior space. Arad's ability to seamlessly integrate different materials is a testament to his studio’s technical prowess and creative vision. 'Big Easy Volume 2' is a harmonious balance of curves and angles with a generously proportioned seat and backrest which provide ample comfort. The work’s organic and flowing profile results in a visually dynamic and sculptural piece.

    British-Israeli architect Ron Arad's illustrious career spans across various disciplines, including architecture, furniture design, and art. Born in Tel Aviv in 1951, he studied at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem before moving to London to pursue further education at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. Throughout his career, Arad has collaborated with renowned brands and has exhibited his works in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide.

  • Artist Biography

    Ron Arad

    Israeli • 1951

    Ron Arad's work and career is characterized by his movement between modes and constant experimentation. Arad was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in 1951 and studied at the Jerusalem Academy of Art before moving to London in 1973. He began his practice in London in the early 1980s and set up One Off Ltd, focused on limited edition objects, with his partner Caroline Thorman. A decade later he had moved to industrial production techniques and collaborations with large design firms such as Vitra and Kartell.

    A persistent theme throughout his work is innovation and the idea of the "new." Still producing work today, Arad uses the latest technology to produce his designs and also integrates it within his pieces, such as his Lolita Chandelier (2004) that can receive and display text messages. Arad also continually experiments with materials and has an exceptional skill to coax volume and undulation out of them, with a particular affinity for metal. His works such as The Big Easy chair (1988) walk the line between design and sculpture. Once an outsider, Arad's relentless energy to design, build and collaborate has placed him firmly within the highest ranks of the design world.

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346

'Big Easy Volume 2' armchair

polished stainless steel and patinated mild steel
96.6 x 132 x 86 cm. (38 x 51 7/8 x 33 7/8 in.)
Circa 1988. Produced by One Off Ltd., London, UK. Number 11 from the edition of 20. Side incised Ron Arad 11/20.

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 300,000 
€23,600-35,400
$25,600-38,500

Sold for HK$190,500

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Disruptors: Evening Sale of 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Design and Watches

Hong Kong Auction 25 May 2023