‘common/un/common’
NATHALIE VAN DER MASSEN & SIZAR ALEXIS
Atelier Ecru Gallery is presenting a duo show with the Swedish-Iraqi designer Sizar Alexis and the Belgian textile designer Nathalie Van der Massen.
Both designers will show new work created especially for this exhibition, complemented by some older works. In addition, they have also created a unique new work together, based on several conversations and in-depth material research.
Van der Massen and Alexis' works share a serenity, tactility and geometry. Although they work with completely different materials - Van der Massen uses textiles, Alexis wood - they find each other in a shared love and respect for heritage and craftsmanship.
From this perspective, the new work they created together can be seen as a contemporary interpretation of a traditional utensil: the thrones of ancient Mesopotamia. In Mesopotamia's civilisation, the throne or kursi symbolised the divine or its representative - such as a king - which meant that only people in authority were entitled to it.
The design is based on the Ousia collection by Sizar Alexis and his sister, consisting of a chair and a stool inspired by the furniture of the Mesopotamia civilization. The chair is covered with a unique textile work by Van der Massen, overlaying on the chair and giving it almost an extra skin or armour. The result is a piece full of contractions: black and white; sculptural yet fragile.
With this collaboration, both designers are taking a step back to the essence of their practices: matter - common and uncommon - formed the connection and inspiration for the collaboration.
