Rago Wright Auction to close Originality Deconstructed Exhibition in Los Angeles
Be Original Americas Final Originality Deconstructed Exhibition
Hosted at Ace Hotel DTLA & Original Auction by Rago/Wright
On view at Ace Hotel DTLA from March 17-26, 2023, the Be Original Americas: Originality Deconstructed exhibition completes the three-city exhibition with the largest number of exhibitors and a collaboration with Rago/Wright Auction taking place live and online on March 25th, 2023.
The public, guests and design lovers will flock to the exhibition which celebrates creativity by pulling back the curtain on the “how” and “why” of some of the international design industry’s most iconic products, demystifying what goes into their conception. Commemorating Be Original Americas’ 10th anniversary year, the final showcase in Los Angeles will incorporate physical designs, disassembled elements, raw materials, and videos by Be Original Americas members Carl Hansen & Søn, Cerno Group, Designtex, Emeco, Kvadrat, Ligne Roset, Loll Designs, Lumens, Kay Bojensen from Rosendahl Design Group and The Modern Fan Company.
The vignette-style exhibition is being mounted by independent design writer and curator Adrian Madlener with the generous support of Imaginative Sponsor-Lumens, Host Sponsor-Ace Hotel and Inspired Sponsor-2Modern. The first showcase was held at Ace Hotel, New York in October 2022 and the second exhibition will be held at Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs during Modernism week in February 2023. The Los Angeles edition, like the other exhibitions, will feature different Be Original Americas member exhibitors and new deconstructed products to discover.
“We’ve been honored to partner with Be Original Americas for this one-of-a-kind exhibition that places curiosity and authenticity at the center of the design conversation,” says Laura Walsh, Lumens CEO. “Exhibitions like Originality Deconstructed reflect the cultural importance of honoring historic design while setting the stage for the next generation of makers, and we’re very much looking forward to joining the design community for this final event, and a special auction, in Los Angeles, March 25th.”
By uncovering the various facets of how things are made, stories behind the design and the intricacies that make them original, the exhibition allows visitors to better understand issues surrounding sustainability—how materials are sourced and processed—and the challenges that come with ensuring the authenticity of a design. Brands are increasingly confronted with the new realities of the digital marketplace, the positive and negative effects of constant exposure. What skill sets, approaches, and apparatus can be harnessed to help promote originality among contemporary designers and entrepreneurs?
Celebrating the conclusion of this three-city exhibition will be a live and online auction from the Rago/Wright Auction on the evening of March 25th, at Ace Hotel DTLA. The donated items come from the most important designers and firms in the world and will feature prototypes of never produced products, iconic pieces no longer in production, historic books and catalogs, original works of art and special one-of-a-kind signed objects.
“Originality and authenticity are two of the most important qualities of designs to hit the auction block. They are also the foundation of all works that have become iconic markers in the history of design,” says Richard Wright, founder, Wright. “Rago/Wright is proud to support Be Original Americas and their mission to inform and educate makers, designers, and consumers about the economic, ethical and environmental value of authentic design.”
Some of the more than 25 auction objects will include:
- A Marcel Wanders designed, limited edition, signed vase made especially for the 12.5 year wedding anniversary of King Williem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands
- Limited edition Virgil Abloh, special version of the Michael Graves Alessi kettle laser signed by Alberto Alessi
- Foscarini’s Wassily Blown Glass Table Lamp designed by Adam Tihany & Joseph Mancini in 1985, inspired by the works of Kandinsky and the ballet theatre of the Bauhaus. Only one of seven remaining.
- Book: Barbie® Dreamhouse™: An Architectural Survey exploring 60 years of material history through the lens of Barbie® and her domestic world
- A Ronan Bouroullec original, large scale, signed artwork
- Various objects from Georg Jensen’s “Pregnant Duck” collection by Henning Kopel
The live auction will take place at the Ace Hotel DTLA the evening of March 25th. For details to attend, visit: https://bit.ly/original-design-auction. The online auction will be posted on all three sites approximately 2 weeks before the live event. Once posted, interested parties may leave bids or register to bid live on line at www.wright20.com; www.ragoarts.com and www.lamodern.com.
About Be Original Americas
Be Original Americas is a non-profit creative advocacy committed to informing, educating, and influencing manufacturers, artisans, design professionals, and consumers about the economic, ethical, and environmental value of authentic design. beoriginalamericas.com
About Rago/Wright
Rago/Wright brings together three of the strongest independently owned art and design brands in the auction industry. With world-class specialists and more than a century of combined business experience, the company has emerged as a leading international resource for exemplary art and design. Built on authentic appreciation for defining works of the 20th and 21st centuries, LAMA and Rago/Wright are set apart by a national coast-to-coast presence, award-winning catalogs, a pioneering website, and compelling digital presentations, capturing the attention of distinguished collectors from around the globe. www.wright20.com, www.ragoarts.com, and www.lamodern.com
About Lumens
Lumens is North America’s premier destination for modern lighting, furniture, and decor, serving trade and contract professionals as well as consumers. The company travels the world to source from over 350 global design brands, curating a product assortment that features iconic designs as well as the latest in contemporary interior décor, including exclusive pieces that can’t be found anywhere else. The Lumens mission to inspire and connect the world with good design has led the company to be a pioneer of innovation, delivering a best-in-class customer experience through our website, editorial content, customer support teams, dedicated trade program and print publications. Lumens.com
About Ace Hotel DTLA
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles makes its home in the historic United Artists building in Downtown LA. Built in 1927 for the maverick film studio, the ornate theatre and the 14-story Spanish Gothic office tower that fronts it have been lovingly retrofitted into a modern hotel — enlivening the building’s historical soul with the meticulous attention to detail that Ace is known for. https://acehotel.com/los-angeles/
About 2Modern
2Modern is guided by passion for authentic modern design. Founded by Greg Finney in 2003, 2Modern curates eye-catching modern furniture, contemporary lighting & elevated home decor from A-list brands and emerging newcomers. 2Modern.com
About Adrian Madlener
Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based writer, curator, and consultant. Over the past ten years, he’s held editorial positions at The Architect’s Newspaper, TL mag, and Frame Magazine while also contributing to publications such as AD Pro, Cultured, Disegno, Domus, Dwell, Hypebeast, Icon Design, Galerie, Luxe, Metropolis, Modern, and The Design Edit, He also develops copy and curates exhibition for select industry clients and cultural platforms. With a particular focus on topics that exemplify the best in craft-led experimentation and sustainability, he’s committed to supporting talents that push the envelope in art, architecture, and design. adrianmadlener.co
Be Original Americas: Originality Deconstructed
The exhibition runs from Friday, March 17th – Sunday, March 26th (10 am-6 pm).
Ace Hotel DTLA
929 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Original Design Auction by Rago/Wright
Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 5:30 -7:30 p.m.
Live at Ace Hotel Los Angeles (by invitation only)
On line: www.wright20.com, www.ragoarts.com, and www.lamodern.com
