Dinerscope 23 été 2016

MICHAEL ARAM
THE DESIGNER
Metal-ware, home-ware and fine jewelry creator
Michael Aram is an American born artist who works primarily in
metal. After studying fine art and living as an artist in New York
in the late 1980’s, Aram took what would later be a life-altering
trip to India where he discovered rich metalworking traditions.
Inspired to work with craftsmen whose skills he felt were greatly
untapped, Aram turned his creative energies towards craft based
design, setting up a home and workshop in New Delhi.
Aram’s work reflects humanity through the directness of the
handmade process, as each piece is lovingly made using age old
traditional techniques. The artisan nature of the work imbues it
with a soulful quality and an energy, which Aram feels is only possible
with work, which reflects the hand of the maker. This energy
is further enhanced by the tension of line, form, and meaning that
is characteristic of Aram’s work. As extraordinary objects, they
cause us to pause and consider them, and therefore create a sense
of ritual and ceremony in their day to day use.
The objects range from tableware to furniture, both are sold in
galleries and specialty stores worldwide. This broad diversity embodies
Aram’s versatility as an artist who is comfortable working
on private commissions, one of a kind piece for gallery shows, or
pieces that are affordable to a wider audience.
Bridging the gap between the artist and artisan is a hallmark of
Michael Aram’s work. Whether in his narrative and figurative
«signature» collection, or in his more contemporary ‘studio’ line,
each piece is entirely handmade with no two examples ever exactly
the same. The handmade quality of the work allows it to shift
beautifully between the realm of fine and decorative art. This enduring
melange of quality and originality sits comfortably at home
in contemporary as well as in more classical interiors.
Appropriately, in Hindi, «aram» means «gently, with peace,
with love and care». Repeating this direction mantra-like to the
craftsmen, Aram succeeds in making high quality work, which is
as much a personal statement, as its appeal is universal.
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152 DINERSCOPE ÉTÉ 2016