Walking into the the fourth floor of New York's Museum of Arts and Design, you might think you've entered some kind of overly opulent funhouse – and you wouldn't be too far off. Aptly titled 'Studio Job MAD HOUSE', the new exhibition is the work of Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel, the duo behind the titular Antwerp-based studio.
Characterised by pattern, humour and somewhat excessive ornamentation, the work of Studio Job is in full force for this latest exhibition; from a 12-foot tall clock featuring a cast-bronze King Kong dripping in 120,000 Swarovski crystals to a table of gold-gilded banana lamps. A mixture of special commissions and self-initiated works, pieces are presented as if they were arranged in the home of an art collector, referencing themes of arts patronage, collecting and display.
‘This is the first time we've had a museum exhibition where the works were not organised in chronological order,’ Smeets says. ‘You can literally see a 2015 piece next to a 2000 piece, so you can see how we lost our naiveté... or how it got worse,’ Tynagel adds.
Adding to the feeling of wandering around someone's home, Smeets and Tynagel used custom wallpaper and floor coverings (named 'Wall' and 'Floor', respectively) to mimic archetypical cement brick walls and an oak parquet floor.
‘Part of what Studio Job wanted to impart is that people can have their own experience about collecting, about domesticity,’ says Ronald T Labaco, the Museum of Arts and Design's Marcia Docter senior curator. 'The works are in very general groupings, so visitors can draw their own conclusions.’
'Studio Job MAD HOUSE' acts a defacto culmination in Studio Job's trend for curating exhibitions of their own work dating back to 2009's 'Studio Job Gallery', and 2011's 'Studio Job Lounge' and 'Studio Job House'.
Characterised by pattern, humour and somewhat excessive ornamentation, the work of Studio Job is in full force for this latest show.
A mixture of special commissions and self-initiated works, pieces are presented as if they were arranged in the home of an art collector, referencing themes of arts patronage, collecting and display. Pictured left: Robber Baron Lamp, 2007. Right: Unity, 2011.
‘This is the first time we’ve had a museum exhibition where the works were not organised in chronological order,’ Smeets says. Pictured left: Wrecking Ball, 2010.
The show follows a trend of Studio Job’s for curating exhibitions of their own work, which began with 2009’s ’Studio Job Gallery’
‘Part of what Studio Job wanted to impart is that people can have their own experience about collecting, about domesticity,’ says Ronald T Labaco, the Museum of Arts and Design’s Marcia Docter senior curator. Pictured left: Pyramid, 2008. Right: Hanging Bubble, 2014.
INFORMATION
'Studio Job MAD HOUSE' is on view until 21 August. For more information, visit the Museum of Arts and Design's website
ADDRESS
Museum of Arts and Design
2 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019
-
'Design at its most ambitious': meet the 2025 Royal Designers for IndustryThe Royal Society for Arts announces the five new Royal Designers for Industry as well as two Honorary Royal Designers for Industry
-
A new art museum brings colour, quirk and a celebration of creativity to DohaLawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum is awash with colour and character, courtesy of Indian architect Martand Khosla and the Qatar Foundation
-
Out of office: The Wallpaper* editors’ picks of the weekThis week, the Wallpaper* team had its finger on the pulse of architecture, interiors and fashion – while also scooping the latest on the Radiohead reunion and London’s buzziest pizza
-
Everything you need to know about Design Miami 2025The collectible design fair returns to Miami Beach in December for its 21st edition, alongside a vast array of art and cultural events across the city
-
Ralph Pucci’s new Provence exhibition celebrates sculpture in its purest formTo mark 70 years of Ralph Pucci International, the New York gallery is collaborating with top designers to bring scaled, textural forms to Château La Coste
-
New York Design Week 2025: live updates from the Wallpaper* teamNow through 21 May, design is taking over the Big Apple. Here's the latest news, launches and other goings-on from NYCxDesign, as seen by Wallpaper* editors.
-
What not to miss at NYCxDesign 2025, according to our editorsFrom mega furniture fairs to can't-miss parties, here's what to catch at North America's biggest celebration of design
-
Basic.Space launches its first IRL shopping event – in an empty West Hollywood mallWith the launch of its first in-person event in LA this weekend, the e-commerce platform is looking to bring collectible design to a whole new audience
-
Design Miami 2024 is alive with possibility: here are 14 things to seeDesign Miami 2024 opens 4-8 December – let Wallpaper* guide you to the highlights, from dazzling installations to plump sofas and anthropomorphic sculptures
-
Nendo’s collaborations with Kyoto artisans go on view in New York‘Nendo sees Kyoto’ is on view at Friedman Benda (until 15 October 2022), showcasing the design studio's collaboration with six artisans specialised in ancient Japanese crafts
-
Italian craftsmanship comes to Los Angeles in this eclectic Venice Canals apartmentBoffi Los Angeles celebrates a juxtaposition of texture throughout a waterside bolthole
