and manufacturing, after noticing patterns
in discarded, punched-out sheet metal at
the scrapyard that seemed to organically
re-create classic decorative arts motifs.
Initially she experimented with using
a CNC (computer numerical controlled)
router to create patterned pieces of mate-
rial, laying them over existing forms, but
ultimately decided she needed the designs
to be more integrated. As of early spring,
she was diving into research on the history
of tattooing, decorating the body, fashion
design, and the architecture of clothing.
She plans to bring Pattern Recognition
pieces, along with new Anchored Candy
work, to the Wexler show this fall. In 2012,
her work will be included in “40 Under 40:
Craft Futures,” a prestigious show orga-
nized by the Renwick Gallery of the Smith-
sonian American Art Museum.
“I’m excited to see her moving to the
next level,” says Lewis Wexler, co-owner
of Wexler Gallery. “You don’t see a lot of
young, great, female designers in the Unit-
ed States, and here’s this young, great
designer - who’s got so much potential and
is so committed to her craft - creating these
incredibly well-designed, well-crafted pieces.
That’s a powerful combination.”
For Beer, putting the most into her
work is simply what she does. “I’m just a
furniture maker and designer. It’s just sit-
ting down,” she says. “But how do you fill
that with power and with beauty - with a
physical-cognitive reaction to something
that has to do with desire and who we are?
To me, that’s what furniture should be.”
It’s a tall order, but she’s up for it.
+
vivianbeer.com
Vivian Beer’s 2011 solo shoivs are at Courthouse
Gallery Fine Art (Jul. 13
-
Aug. 7), Manhat-
tanville College’s Arthur M. Berger Art Gallery
(Sept. 6-30, partnered with Purchase College),
ancl Wexler Gallery (Oct. 7 -Nov. 23). Julie
K. Hanus is
American Craft
’s senior editor.
Slither, walk.fly,
2008
steel, automotive paint
3.2 x 3.8 x 7.9 ft.
