Will Ryman’s ‘Bird’ Is Multiplying at Demiurge

After fabricating more than 4,500 nails in Demiurge’s studio to create Will Ryman’s ‘Bird’ and then shipping it to New York’s Paul Kasmin Gallery for his solo show ‘Anyone and No One’, a run of editions are now in the works.  

Fabrication of 2-foot tall 'Bird" edition.Demiurge will create several more editions of ‘Bird’ throughout the year, including a series of the original 12-foot version as well as 6-foot and 2-foot editions.  A few of which will be traveling to China for the Hong Kong International Art Fair, May 17th-20th.

The opening of his “Anyone and No One” exhibit marked a first for Ryman and Paul Kasmin Gallery, as he was the first artist to exhibit in both gallery spaces, located at 293 Tenth Avenue and 515 West 27th Street, simultaneously.

In an interview with White Hot Magazine for a March story, Ryman gives some insight to his style and how the rose along with the use of nails create the artistic contradiction Ryman has become known for.  “Well it’s romance, the elite, sophisticated, but also probably the most recognized flower globally,” said Ryman about the choice of the rose. “My work has always been about contradictions, about absurdism, and the human condition…You take a cold, hard material which references aggression and crucifixion, and I make it almost appear soft, that was my intention.”

Ryman’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at solo shows at 7 World Trade Center, New York; The Saatchi Gallery, London; the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York;  and P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center, Long Island City, New York, among others.  A writer turned artist, Ryman’s work is also heavily influenced by the works of absurdest playwrights and philosophers. He is represented by Paul Kasmin Gallery. 

Demiurge Completes Sculpture Restoration for World-Renowned Artist, Sebastián.

It's always a pleasure to work with one of the greats as Demiurge had the great opportunity to restore, "Untitled," a series of 3 sculptures from Sebastián’s catalog of large scale public sculpture.

Sebastian RestorationSebastián is considered one of Mexico's foremost living sculptors. He has gained a world-wide reputation for his large sculptures which have been commissioned by municipalities around the globe. The GSA (U.S. General Services Administration) Art in Architecture Program, which owns the artwork, oversees the commissioning of artworks for federal buildings nationwide. Demiurge was brought on by McKay Lodge, the GSA conservation contract holder, to restore and re-install the sculpture in a new location.

Demiurge de-installed, media blasted to eliminate the existing coating and corrosion, performed body work and then worked with Onsite Coatings to recoat the sculptures with a catalyzed paint system. Demiurge also collaborated with KL&A Structural Engineers for the structural design of a new base and foundation system. Just recently completed, the sculpture will be placed in storage until the construction of the new location is complete.

The GSA Art in Architecture Program oversees the commissioning of artworks for new federal buildings nationwide, with a purpose to enhance the civic meaning of federal architecture and showcase the vibrancy of American visual arts. Together, the art and architecture of federal buildings create a lasting cultural legacy for the people of the United States. GSA reserves one-half of one percent of the estimated construction cost of each new federal building to commission project artists. A panel composed of art professionals, civic and community representatives, the project’s lead design architect, and GSA staff meets to discuss opportunities for artists to participate in the building project.

McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory, Inc. is a very large and diverse art conservation company operating the Ohio Conservation Center near Oberlin, Ohio. Outside of managing large government art conservation contracts and serving Midwest museums, art conservation services are also available to a limited extent to the public. The art conservation center was established in 1989.

More Than 4,500 Custom Fabricated Nails Used for Will Ryman’s ‘Bird’

'Bird' by Will RymanMore than 4,500 nails, all custom fabricated in studio at Demiurge, went into creating the 12,000 pound ‘Bird,’ artist Will Ryman’s sculpture that will debut tonight at Paul Kasmin’s gallery in New York.  

The 12-foot tall, 12-foot wide, and 14-foot long ‘Bird’ was shipped to New York last Thursday and installed overnight Wednesday for Will Ryman’s opening of “Anyone and No One,” exhibit, which will run February 16th – March 24th, 2012, at Paul Kasmin Gallery, across both locations of 293 Tenth Avenue & 515 West 27th Street.

Beginning with a nine and a half inch model created by Ryman, Demiurge hand fabricated all of the carbon steel nails and forged them in the studio to create a mill scale finish.  With nails from 8 inches to nearly 5 feet long, ‘Bird’, was completed by Demiurge over three months.

“Great art comes from great partnerships,” said Demiurge owner and founder, Joe Riché, “and we are very fortunate to include Will Ryman and engineering design consultation of KL&A as our artistic partners.”