17 - 26 August 2007

One small step for man, one large step for art and design.
BROOKLYN, NY – Rising New York City artist and designer Mark A. Reigelman II is unveiling a collection of site-specific public furniture pieces from August 17-26 on the cascading steps of New York’s Brooklyn Borough Hall.

“The ‘Stair Squares’ are designed not only as an aesthetic asset, but as a functional asset as well,” said Reigelman. “They will be strategically integrated into the urban landscape and incorporated into daily life.” Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is pleased that Brooklyn Borough Hall is hosting this innovative project, “Here at Borough Hall, we love our “front porch” and our “piazza,” and we’re thrilled that Mark Reigelman will be giving our beautiful building’s classical grandeur a little bit of modern moxie.”

“This project not only crosses the boundaries of design and art, but raises questions concerning the respective function of aesthetics as an organizing principle within public spaces as a way to facilitate, within the framework of daily life, various forms of social, economic and leisurely interactions,” said Saul Ostrow, New York art critic, curator and professor.

The Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, responsible for the funding of the ‘Stair Square’ project, in Hendersonville, North Carolina, administers the grant program, partnering with fifty plus universities across the country. This three year pilot program, starting in 2006, was established to help encourage and advance the development of serious innovative artists in the United States, whose work is related to, or informed by, the process, material, or idea of craft. Ten graduating university art/design/craft seniors each received a $15,000 Windgate Fellowship for a proposal outlining how the Fellowship would propel their art forward at this pivotal juncture in their career.

“The 2006 panel reviewing applications recognized the complexity of Reigelman’s proposal, but we felt his proposal was fascinating, creative, and without question would provide a major learning experience working in public art,” said Dian Magie, director for the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design and administrator of the Windgate Fellowship Awards. ‘Stair Square’ manufacturing is being coordinated by Paul Hashier of Hashier and Hashier Mfg. Inc. in Avon Lake, Ohio. The ‘Squares’ will be on display from August 17-26 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon St., Brooklyn New York, thanks to the Department of
Citywide Administrative Services and Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz.

Images of the “Stair Squares” and other projects by Reigelman can be found at www.reigelman.com.

REIGELMÄN is a multi-disciplinary design studio showcasing the work of Mark A. Reigelman II. With several years of combined art and design experience, Reigelman has developed a body of work that encompasses product, jewelry, interior and graphic design as well as architecture and creative consulting.

Avoiding function and economics as the sole factors for design, this work brings everyday life into the conceptual realm, offering invigorating perspectives on functional objects and spaces. By questioning expected qualities and identities, Reigelman’s designs are able to convey ideas, generate conversations and promote novel, yet enduring engagements with their audience.

via Mark A.Reigelman II