On Thursday, September 22nd transFORM and their Media Sponsor, Aspire NY Metro, participated in the New York Design Center’s 8th Annual “What’s New, What’s Next” event at 200 Lexington Ave.
The celebration included over 80 participating showrooms featuring product introductions, informative lectures, book signings and soirees. The building wide event drew in over 7,000 people, giving them the opportunity to view new ideas, designs, materials and products. This year also marked the New York Design Centers 90th Anniversary. From Thom Filicia and Jamie Drake to Wendy Goodman and Amy Astley, the building was filled with the industry’s top designers and editors – there was even a special visit from Hillary and Donald!
With so many exciting activities, guests were fiending for an energy boost. transFORM happily welcomed visitors into their showroom for a refreshing afternoon of chocolate, coffee and art.
Sarah Endline and her company Sweet Riot, makes all natural healthy chocolate treats and snacks in a socially responsible way. Among the assortment was Sweet Riot’s Kickin’ Coconut & Crunchy Quirky Quinoa dark chocolate bars as well as lightly roasted Cacao nibs. transFORM supplied Grounds For Change coffee, a Washington State coffee roaster specializing in 100% Fair Trade. This delicious and sustainable combination allowed guests to refuel and recharge as they continued on through the New York Design Center’s building wide events.
In the early evening, transFORM Gallery hosted an informal artist talk with International Photographer Jean-Luc Mege. The discussion was centered around his high-end, premium composite acrylic glass photographs, which were on display throughout the gallery. Jean-Luc Mege covers, illustrates and immortalizes scenes from around the world. He has a rare ability to tell a story through his photographs. The force of the narrative comes from a unique path: Jean-Luc’s eye is imbued with great empathy, an unprecedented tenderness and an innate sense of composition.
Artists Rachelle Krieger, Catherine Latson and KellyAnn Monaghan also had the opportunity to speak about their exhibiting work.
Rachelle’s paintings are part of numerous private and corporate collections and can been seen in public spaces throughout the United States including at the Westin Hotel in New Orleans, the Ritz Carlton in DC, the Marriott Marquis in DC, and the Texas State Bank in Dallas. Rachelle’s work reflects the nature preserves, seascapes and woods near her home in Port Washington, NY. More recently she has taken and exciting directional turn into bold and dynamic abstractions of nature and nature’s forces.
Catherine Latson’s “Garment Series” offers an unconventional take on the art and engineering of self-decoration. Using exclusively organic and repurposed materials, the language of clothing is explored. Garment forms are reimagined in tapioca root, magnolia leaves, moss, birch, sea urchin shells, amaranths, hydrangea petals, peacock quills, and more. While the forms are recognizably human, they are fragmented, weathered, and curious.
KellyAnn Monaghan uses landscapes and urban landscapes as a journey and stage for the drama of light, air and movement. She attempts to see past the structured architecture into the otherworldly qualities of the landscape. There is emptiness and solitude in the spaces she paints; yet they have a quality of human presence through the atmosphere and illumination.
While enjoying coffee and sweet treats, the attentive audience asked interesting questions and added to the commentary.
transFORM Gallery was especially excited over the sale of Jean-Luc’s first class print, “Grand Central Terminal”.
Unlike the traditional art gallery format, where art is presented on blank white walls, our artwork is hung in home-like settings, making it easier for the client to visualize it in their own environments. – a quality that’s highly regarded in the design industry. Interior design and decorating have a need for the energy, mood and life that is brought into a space by original artwork.
Throughout the day transFORM Gallery provided industry partners, tastemakers and more an opportunity to discover a variety of mediums from painting and sculpture to mixed media and photography.
Our NYC designers were also available throughout the event to provide interested guests with one-on-one tours of the showroom.
In honor of “What’s New, What’s Next”, transFORM introduced their Multifunctional Men’s Apartment, which included a horizontal wall bed, custom wardrobe & dual-purpose desk.
Featured in Desert Oak and Dusk Frake from Shinnoki and finished with Red Port High Gloss and Black Leather accents, transFORM’s newest installation features an array of custom cabinetry for added storage.
After a brief introduction from Andreas Mesis (Co Owner) and Donovan Malloy (Marketing Director), transFORM’s Design Research & Product Development Director Daniel Steps, began his presentation on smart living in small urban spaces. “Tackling the Trend – Living Large in Tiny Homes and Micro-Apartments” explained how new advanced hardware and materials can create exciting designs that maximize space and function in compact apartments.
transFORM enjoyed being introduced to and getting to know new members of our design community.
Thank you to all that came to the event – we look forward to seeing you there again next year!
