Nigel Coates: BAROCCABILLY

February 8 - March 18 '11

Cristina Grajales Gallery
New York City

Cristina Grajales Gallery is hosting the first exhibition in the United States by Nigel Coates entitled 'Baroccabilly'. With this show, Coates brings to life an imaginary world that evokes the opulence of the baroque, while incorporating design elements drawn from pop music culture, as well as biological and geometric influences.

The collection includes ten limited edition furniture and lighting pieces that are connected through the spirit of the ‘Baroccabilly’. As Coates puts it, the ‘Baroccabilly’ is “a rebel outsider who finds himself lost in Baudelaire’s luxe-calme-volupté”.

This spirit is physically realized in a unique combination of forms, textures, and effects that recall the silvered qualities of black and white photography, and will make use of the gallery space as if it were the apartment of Coates’ imaginary figure. Each piece is exquisitely crafted and realized in collaboration with the historic Italian furniture company Poltronova in editions of twelve. This is the first complete presentation of the collection since its debut at the Milan Furniture Fair in 2010.

Coates’ diverse background—architecture and design—is apparent in the combination of influences that inspire his work. He states, “I go for architecture that overlays and enhances. By blending observation and wit with reason, I want my work to generate a sense of the unexpected, and the seemingly spontaneous.” With Baroccabilly, he succeeds in his objective; this is an exhibition that reveals a unique and experimental artistic vision.

Baroccabilly by Nigel Coates from Nigel Coates Studio on Vimeo.