Collectible Design Fair NY 2024

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September in NYC typically marks a flood of art events as local galleries begin fall shows following the summer break. The annual Armory show at Javits and Volta fair create something of an art week in the city. For 2024, Belgium-based Collectible hosted the first satellite edition of their design fair in NYC to add to the art calendar frenzy. Not to be confused with the former Collective design fair which ran for a few year until 2018, it follows a similar formula showcasing functional art objects.

Collectible was held in downtown Manhattan near the Financial district at the Water Street Projects building. Spanning two gutted floors of former office space, the backdrop to the show was raw and gritty.

The roster of galleries and designers represented was international but the majority are based in the US. The curation of the show overall was pretty consistent. I’d say a majority of work on show fell into modern handmade or machine aesthetic categories.

A few standouts for me include the audio speakers from Silence Please. They were hard to miss, flanking the dj setup in the red lobby. On the upper floor was a collection of tripod mounded speakers mixing different finishes. It can be a challenge these days to find speakers in any color besides black, how about the glass version? The exposed horns also offer a distinctive silhouette and just look more musical.

Brooklyn-based artist collective Manifold exhibited a seating series combining readymade and craft. The Eruca Chair is made from metal tubing with rubber feet inspired by a caterpillar. It’s meant to offer flexible seating positions on the floor and against a wall. The Ottoman merges utility cart aesthetics with upholstery inspired by clouds and sheep.

A critique of the collectible furniture genre is that it can be reliant on indulgent and exotic materials. Sonian creates furniture from trees damaged and removed from the Sonian forest, a UNESCO World heritage site in Brussels, Belgium. Otherwise destined to be discarded, Sonian uses the wood in place of harvesting healthy trees instead. The Vernacular collection includes a basic chair and table with angular notches adding a distinct and timeless detail.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter