In May 2010, the New York design community lost one of its most prolific and influential designers of the current generation, Tobias Wong. Blurring the boundary between conceptual art and design, the work of Tobias questioned the value system of objects and pretensions of designers with wit, satire and humor. Brokenoff Brokenoff is an exhibition inspired by the life and work of Tobias Wong. Nine celebrated New York based designers have come together to interpret and reflect the work of Tobias through their unique and individual design sensibilities. Through the lens of Tobias we home to gain new insight into our work by questioning our personal values, design process and the necessity of humor by remembering never to take life or yourself too seriously.
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Tobias Wong created 'Mirror Puzzle' in 2002 to reflect environment versus the static image. Because the subject of 'Mirror Puzzle' will always change, it is never final. It is never complete. This work refers to the notion of continuity and incompleteness by signifying that a physical representation, while fleeting and temporary, is merely part of that which is remembered once it continues on. Physicality fades while recollection, impact and presence shine on.
The piece is made from opaque black stained glass, brass lead came (a nod to Tobi's obsession with gold plating) and a pressed wood light box which houses a narrow halogen spot lamp.
Dimensions: 72"H x 40"W x 8"D
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Always the prankster, Tobi made a name for himself by downplaying the preciousness of design and art, both his own and that of others. ‘What Would Tobias Wong Do?’ was created as a way of carrying on that legacy. As part of the exhibition, 100 editions of the work were made available to the viewing public for a suggested “donation.” The first 50 were signed and numbered “1 of 20,” giving each owner of this edition the false feeling of pride in owning the first of the series. The second batch was signed and numbered sequentially from “51 of 50” to “100 of 50,” taking a jab at the limited edition market as a whole through the obvious over-run. I’d like to think this is something Tobias Wong would have eventually done, thus the print becomes self-referential, a proverbial M.C. Escher.
Dimensions: 14”H x 11”W Edition of 100
2011
