ATLANTA.- The High Museum of Art has commissioned two major pieces by Dutch artists Jurgen Bey and Tejo Remy to be completed and installed during the spring of 2008. Both artists are associated with the Amsterdam-based Droog Collective, a group that has creatively challenged traditional design concepts for nearly 15 years. These two commissions of serialized works will be the first by each artist in the High’s collection and will have unique ties to the Atlanta community. Bey will create his “Tree Trunk Bench” from a tree recently removed from the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Remy will repurpose pre-existing drawers donated by individuals in the Atlanta and greater Georgia community.
“These two commissions continue the High’s tradition of bringing great art to the High through global partnerships and, in this case, permanently,” said Michael E. Shapiro, the High’s Nancy and Holcombe T. Green, Jr. Director. “The High’s collection of decorative arts is one of the most renowned in the country, and we are committed to keeping this collection fresh by adding contemporary designs such as these. We also look forward to the community connection brought about by the two projects and to introducing new visitors to the collections through their involvement.”
Jurgen Bey: “Tree Trunk Bench” - Artist Jurgen Bey creates provocative, socially aware designs that often involve collaboration with the owner or commissioner. The High’s commission of a “Tree Trunk Bench” will incorporate a tree from a section of the Atlanta Botanical Garden currently being cleared for the construction of their green expansion plan including a new LEED certified visitor center, canopy walk, gardens and parking facility. Choosing a tree from this site allows the High to recycle a part of the landscaping slated for removal. The selected tree is a mockernut hickory, a species commonly found in the Eastern United States. Arborguard, a tree care and preservation firm based in Atlanta, has provided services to treat the tree, cut it down, and transport it to the Museum. For this commission, Bey will also create custom-made chair backs that he will install on the trunk to create a bench.
Tejo Remy: “Chest of Drawers” - Tejo Remy began designing lively recycled chests of drawers in 1991. They feature mismatched drawers built into customized matching casings, stacked in an apparently indiscriminate way. These individual pieces are then bundled together with a furniture mover’s strap. For the High’s commission, the Museum will hold a statewide call for submissions of drawers from any type of furniture. Participants will be asked to submit a photo of their proposed submission, along with its dimensions and a motivational statement. Remy will then select drawers for the commissioned piece, which he will create in Atlanta. More information about drawer submissions is available online at www.high.org/drawerproject.
