Coinciding with the end of summer and the start of fall in NYC, Inside~Out returned for a fourth edition presenting the work of 22 independent design studios. The exhibition was curated by Kin & Company with the theme being Grounded in Nature. The work presented from subtle to extreme ways showed the influence of nature on aesthetic, material and functional design decisions. It was held at the showroom gallery and courtyard garden for real estate developer Avdoo & Partners project, Bergen Brooklyn. I last visited the show in 2021 and in contrast this collection is much more experimental.

Notable pieces inside are Josh Draper’s conventionally shaped chair made with coffee grounds, egg shells and rice starch. The Bosque Series by Fernanda Uribe-Horta are a series of ceramic vessels resembling a floral and coral hybrid. Two Tree Studios Ascendant Chair has something of an insect gesture mixed with streamline-era shapes.

Moving outside, Kin & Company’s Reliquary Console combines a rusty exterior with polished brass interior, rat rod vibes here. Laundry Ladder Lamp by Evan Z. Crane pairs a step ladder inspired shelf with a cloud shaped bronze lamp shade. Finally, Concrete Cat’s Demeter chair doesn’t look the most comfortable, but the cast pigmented concrete used to make it looks as if hand painted.

Photos and Text: Dave Pinter