Implement, critically-acclaimed artist-blacksmith Conrad Hicks’  latest solo exhibition at Southern Guild, explores the quest for beauty and its role in human evolution.

Expect a combination of hand-forged metal furniture and sculptures that showcase the hammered marks and quintessential forms that define Conrad’s body of work.

As an analytical artist with a deep interest in anthropology and the history of humankind’s evolution, Conrad’s work is very labour-intensive, perpetuating a physicality through which he channels his innermost self. The plan for each piece unfolds only once his hands meet his materials. His intricate process of cutting, hammering, heating, pressing and stretching metal reveals archetypal shapes reminiscent of bygone eras.

Conrad’s process is not dissimilar to that which sparked the works of the earliest tool-makers known to mankind. “It is the pursuit of beauty through technology that has driven our evolution as humans. That beauty that we pursue is actually an engineering choice, intuitively made,” he says.

Conrad has shown to international audiences at design fairs such as Design Miami/Basel, Design Days Dubai and Collective 1 in New York. You can also find his work at Ellerman House, the Fan Walk and the Cape Quarter in Cape Town.

Implement will be on show at Southern Guild from 24 May until 17 July 2019. For more information, visit southernguild.co.za.

The post Southern Guild Exhibition: Implement by Conrad Hicks appeared first on Visi.

The Minima | Maxima By Marc Fornes / THEVERYMANY is a four-storey organic 13.1 m structure made from material that’s as thin as a coin. The core material is made up of 2 mm strips of aluminum.

THEVERYMANY is known for innovative fusion of computational design and architecture to build organic self-supporting structures. This new piece was commissioned by World Expo 2017 and it stands in Astana, Kazakhstan.

They incorporated their ‘Structural Stripes’ invention into this piece: A signature material system for building self-supporting curvilinear structures. It’s a step in a direction that offers even more structural potential – multi-ply composite. Three layers of flat stripes — white and white sandwiching pink — are constructed in tandem, supporting one another as they assume curvature and gain height. One layer doesn’t exist independently, but contributes to and benefits from the unified whole as it is built.

The system is also mechanically bonded, allowing for recomposition and corrections during construction.

(h/t) thisiscolossal.com

The post Minima | Maxima By Marc Fornes / THEVERYMANY appeared first on Visi.

This week, the VISI team has selected tiny bottles of pink gin, recycled metal art and delicate lights as some of our favourite picks from around the world. Here are more VISI picks of the week series – week 185.

1. Katharina Grosse Paints The Danish Coastline Pink

“These pretty pink hues form an eye catching ‘art zone’ that adds an unexpected vibrancy to the landscape,” says Features Writer Amelia Brown.

Image credit: designboom.com

2. A Miniature Town For Hamsters

“As many as 1 325 detailed pieces make up this tiny town for hamsters,” says Online Editor Lindi Brownell Meiring. “It took the team behind the project 1 984 hours to build the little town and the houses within it. I just love the detail in the living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens, from houndstooth scatters to Scandi furniture.”

Image credit: boredpanda.com Video credit: LeavingStoneTV on YouTube

3. Dan Rawlings’ Scrap Metal Art

“Dan’s use of discarded materials and tools serves as a positive way to address the throw-away culture we currently live in,” says Managing Editor Samantha Charles. “His transformation of an old van, entitled Nature Delivers, is my favourite example of his work.”

Image credit: boredpanda.com

4. Atelier De Troupe Etoile Lights

“The Etoile chandelier and pendant lights from Los Angeles-based design studio Atelier De Troupe are a perfect example of tasteful design,” says Content Producer Mary Garner. “I love the combination of the elegance of the gold and the soft, white pearls with clean, modern lines.” These can be used to transform any kitchen and make it elegant and special. Introducing the new VISI Special Edition: Kitchens III. 

Image credit: atelierdetroupe.com

5. Musgrave’s New Miniature Bottles

Local gin favourite Musgrave has just launched the 50ml bottle. “As a gin lover, I absolutely adore Musgrave’s Pink Gin – it’s great that they’re now available in handy little bottles too,” says Assistant Editor Tracy Greenwood.

Image credit: musgravegin.co.za

The post VISI Picks of the Week Series – Week 185 appeared first on Visi.

British metal artist Alan Williams’s fascination with aliens, sea monsters and other fantastical creatures dates back to his childhood.

Armed with a pot of glue and a pair of scissors Alan says taking apart his toys and refashioning them into unique hybrids was one of his passions. “Destroying things,” he maintains, “is an essential part of my creative process.”

A successful artist who uses nature as his sketchbook, Alan draws on repurposed metal objects and welding equipment to fashion his exquisite sculptures.

The post WATCH: Creating Metal Art appeared first on Visi.