Dark arts: Bec Brittain’s bewitching exhibition casts a spell on us
![Installation view of ‘Strange Days’ by Bec Brittain.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z2SJVhN2WpXxaKs83jNdoG-415-80.jpg)
New York designer Bec Brittain often draws on celestial and metaphysical references in her sculptural, otherworldly lighting pieces in brass and coloured glass. But for ‘Mercury’ (2015) the architecture-trained talent sought to reconnect with a more tactile material palette.
The all-black design – comprising 35 strands of LED lights interspersed with obsidian, jasper, and agate beads and a sensual heaping of leather and suede tassels – is the centrepiece for ‘Strange Days’, a group exhibition at her studio featuring work by Alex P White and design duo Material Lust.
Although Patrick Parrish Gallery debuted ‘Mercury’ at Design Miami two years ago, ‘other than those four days, it’s been in storage’, says Brittain, who relocated her workspace from Brooklyn to Manhattan’s bustling NoMad neighbourhood earlier this spring. ‘Now that we finally have a space to install it in, we’re excited to show it—it’s one of my favourite pieces: this is sort of the dark, moody side of me.’
Bec Brittain with Alex P White and design duo Material Lust
To complement the installation, Brittain called on her friends to share works that would resonate with 'Mercury', configured here in a monumental, triangular arrangement draped from floor to ceiling. Flanked by a pair of armchairs by White (a former lead collaborator of Kelly Behun) and velvet furnishings and Wicca chic seating by Material Lust, the atmosphere is decidedly moody, an elegant paean to some pagan spirit, perhaps, and a spellbinding celebration of dark-hued forms.
Brittain’s own handiwork – she created, knotted and braided each of the leather tassel strands herself – is a throwback to her early jewellery collections, consisting of large knotted rope necklaces and body harnesses she characterises as ‘daytime bondage’. She certainly has roped us in.
Brittain’s ‘Mercury’ installation comprises 35 strand of LED lights interspersed with obsidian, jasper, agate beads, and leather and suede tassels
Installation view of ‘Strange Days’
Left, ‘Mercury’, by Brittain. Right, furniture, by Material Lust
Installation view of ‘Strange Days’
Brittain’s lighting pieces in brass and coloured glass
NFORMATION
‘Strange Days’ is on view until 14 October. For more details, visit Bec Brittain’s website
ADDRESS
Bec Brittain
27 West 20th Street
New York
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
-
Commune’s sustainable personal care products look ‘quite unlike anything else’
Commune’s Somerset-made products stand out in the sustainable skincare crowd. Madeleine Rothery speaks with the brand’s co-founders Kate Neal and Rémi Paringaux
By Madeleine Rothery Published
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published