Playful Forms and Technological Experiments

Ron Arad (Israeli, b. 1951) is one of the most influential industrial designers, artist, and architects of today. He was born in Tel Aviv, Israel and was trained at the Jerusalem Academy of Art and at London’s Architectural Association. In 1973 he moved to London to immerse himself in Architecture, but actually made his name in the early 1980’s as a self-taught sculpture furniture maker. Today he works in both design (including furniture) and architecture with his business partner Caroline Thorman.

What makes Arad unique is his ever-evolving interest in what is going on around him. While still staying true to himself Arad has managed to morph with the times, creating works that are relevant to the moment in time. Arad’s work looks to common culture for inspiration. Instead of simply looking inside of himself for inspiration, Arad explores the life and trends he sees everyday around him.


Today Arad’s work explores his curiosity with technology. Arad heavily relies on the computer and its capabilities as much as he relies on his hands on techniques in his metal workshop. Arad has always felt that personal interaction and a playful nature are important in his work and he recently completed a sculpture that can receive and display texts sent through SMS and Bluetooth messages from mobile phones and Palm Pilots. Arad himself doesn’t control the messages; anyone who can get the number is able to send a message. Arad loves the unique, which is shown through most of his work.

Arad’s work is always playful, innovative, humorous, and attempts to communicate the joy of invention. His daredevil curiosity of the everyday exploration can be seen through his work over the past 25 years. Arad is best known as a designer, but he has completed many architectural projects as well as furniture and home designs. Most recently Arad’s work can be seen at the MOMA. Ron Arad is an artist to watch in the upcoming years as he is always on the cutting edge and always producing inspiring works.

For more information on his recent exhibit “Ron Arad: No Discipline” visit: http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2009/ronarad/#/1/0

Images:
1. Ron Arad, with an unidentified piece of work
2. GET THE MESSAGE, Lolita, the text-messaging chandelier