In a world where digital images often blend into a never-ending stream, designers Patrick McGrath and Michael Bargo embarked on a unique journey to uncover what truly stands the test of time. Their answer? The objects they've cherished and lived with for years. For McGrath, it was ancient Roman, Pre-Columbian, and Chinese artifacts, while Bargo's passion lay in mid-century French design, particularly the works of Jean Prouvé. These seemingly contrasting collections have now found a home in McGrath's new gallery space in downtown New York, creating an intriguing exhibition.
"The combination of these collections felt both timely and destined," McGrath explains, referring to the show's juxtapositions, such as Teotihuacan and Olmec masks displayed on a Pierre Patout bookcase. "There's an intriguing tension between these rare and exquisite objects from different eras." Bargo adds, "It's a contrast between beautiful, museum-worthy antiquities and raw, industrial furniture designed for everyday use."
But here's where it gets even more fascinating: the exhibition includes a third, unexpected element - photographs of interiors by renowned photographer Bruce Weber. Imagine a Prouvé daybed adorned with an oversized photograph of a Grecian statue, captured at Chatsworth, the English estate of the Duchess of Devonshire. Or a Roman bust placed in front of a snapshot of Sofia Coppola's chaotic Los Angeles office, symbolizing control and chaos, as McGrath interprets it.
"I've never done anything like this before," Weber confesses. "When my friends asked to see photographs of interiors, I was intrigued. I usually just take pictures of places I love, where I'd want to relax or sleep, like Cy Twombly's residence in Gaeta or Jil Sander's home in Hamburg." Weber's approach is refreshingly raw and romantic, capturing the essence of a space rather than a perfect, styled interior.
Bargo and McGrath had the challenging task of selecting just 20 images from Weber's extensive archive, but their choices aligned surprisingly well. "Everything fell into place," Bargo says. "The images formed a cohesive body of work."
McGrath sees a common thread connecting the exhibition's sections, which will be on display until December 3rd. "The antiquities are literal historical icons, Prouvé's furniture started as utilitarian modernism and became an icon, and Bruce Weber is an iconic photographer of the 90s with a largely unknown body of work like this." For Weber, these pictures hold personal memories of friends like Iman and David Bowie, and visits to the late model Stella Tennant at Chatsworth.
"It's a beautiful, personal narrative for us," Bargo reflects. McGrath adds, "It's a counter to the Instagram age, showcasing furniture that has endured and antiquities that remain beautiful after thousands of years. There's a sense of permanence."
And the ultimate testament to a successful exhibition? It took just two hours to install, with McGrath noting, "We barely spoke."
Bruce Weber's Photographs of Interiors: A Raw and Romantic Perspective on Iconic Spaces.
