This October, Sotheby's will present 'Living in a Material World,' an auction dedicated to exploring how leading designers have employed materials in new and cutting-edge ways. Covering the full spectrum of post-war and contemporary design, the exhibition will be curated by Tony Chambers, Editor-in-Chief of Wallpaper*.
The selection will trace a history of how and why designers have chosen to work with specific materials, from simple and beautifully crafted modern pieces to highly-complex creations using the most technologically advanced tools. "As our lives become increasingly governed by the digital world, we have subsequently become more appreciative and sensitive to the analogue," explained Chambers. "We now crave the touch, the feel, even the smell of the material world. This is the perfect time to explore how post-war and contemporary designers have employed and manipulated all manner of materials in elegant and innovative ways."
Highlights range from experimental and adventurous creations by Joris Laarman and Thomas Heatherwick to provocative and tongue-in-cheek designs by Rotterdam-based Studio Job. The auction will take place in New Bond Street on October 17, 2017, preceded by a public exhibition and series of gallery talks.