Hasta La Ideas

“Times of New York,” Josee Lepage and Tobias Wong

When asked about the defining characteristic of their decade-plus of collaborating, the curator and designer Josee Lepage describes her relationship with Tobias Wong as, “Consistent.” From the time Wong first came to show Lepage, then the Creative Director for Cite, his student portfolio, the two began to make plans. Lepage and Wong had an ongoing professional and personal dialogue that translated into the inclusion of work for Lepage’s collection of design objects, Zweimineral, and commissaries gallery as well as collaborations for various projects and exhibitions including Cappellini x Pappabubble (2009), Japan C (2008), As Long As it Lasts (2007), Wong’s Wrong Store (2007), All I Want is More (2006) and “Waterrr” (2006). Here, Josee Lepage shares memories of Tobias and gives us a sneak peek on their most recent collaboration, “The Times of New York,” a special tribute piece for BrokenOff BrokenOff.

Core77: What was it about Tobias’ work, or was it him as a person, that first drew you to him?

Josee Lepage: It was about him! He was harassing me! He was coming every week to show me his portfolio but I really liked the work. At the time, I knew he was in school, so I didn’t know if those projects were related to school or not. But he was coming every week to show me his book, and he would, like, change the display I just did in the store. I don’t know what else to tell you other than, he struck me.

You two collaborated over a large period of time—on multiple projects spanning different geographies. What was special about your collaborative relationship?

It was the consistency, the same way he was consistent when he wanted something. And the fact that we knew each other for so long and we never really lost contact. It made it easier for both of us to collaborate together and to support each other. Even if we weren’t collaborating, he was advising me on things and I would advise him. It was this very easy, natural way of working together from, I guess, day one. So, when I moved back to New York, a couple of years ago, it was really even more collaboration. We really got into bigger projects together. He also collaborated with other people as well, but it seems like the last maybe four years we did a lot together.

Tobias Wong and Josee Lepage in Japan for Japan C

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As designers working in New York City, David Weeks and Tobias Wong had met on and off through industry gatherings like the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and local New York exhibitions and events. In preparation for this week’s opening of BrokenOff BrokenOff, Weeks shares memories of his first encounter with Wong over a vodka cocktail and the myth behind the inspiration for his tribute piece, “There is Something About Giving Into Your Desires.”

David Weeks: When I would first read about [Tobias Wong], they’d write about him like “the bad boy” or some sort of enfant terrible. And then once you’ve met him you’re like, “oh, he’s just a really smart, funny guy.” Although we had met on and off at the ICFF and other things, my first real memory of him was when he did [Wrong Store, 2007] that storefront that wasn’t really a storefront. Then he had a little vodka dispenser on his belt and he’s squirting these funny cocktails. I think that was one of the first times I put it all together. And I loved it. It’s like he’s thumbing his finger at the industry, which is so rare, and frankly, I don’t know anybody else that does it. He’ll be missed for that for sure, but I think that was the first time I put him, his work, on the level of sense of humor and charm.

Tobias Wong, “Wrong Store,” 2007

I think we had the same sense of humor on a lot of the different things—not taking this whole thing that seriously. [Tobias] did such a good job at meshing art and New York-style sarcasm and satire into his work. But then, [objects] like the Kevlar rose [Ballistic Rose, 2008] is so elegant. That piece was so perfect; it had the humor. It had everything. When he hit his mark, he was dead on. It was such a nice thing. He’s fantastic and almost a sole voice for the design industry here in the US.

And then eventually we were both part of the group Marc Thorpe organized. I had the opportunity to finally get to know him somewhat over the last year, which was such a treat, an unexpected bonus. Tobi on the last meeting, he was totally running that meeting, He was like Truman Capote with these big glasses on—and hardcore, like really belligerent, but in a really funny way.

Core77: Can you tell me a little bit about your process for choosing a piece of Tobias’ to start off with for the show?

The tattoo that Jenny Holzer wrote on his arm; I thought it was just such a compelling story. And just everything about it: “Wait, he had the wherewithal to have a pen on him?” or think, “Oh, can I get an autograph?” To ask, “Could you write something on my arm?” and to pick the spot for it perfectly right there in the middle of his forearm, to make it permanent to top it off and then have it be such a great quote. Was Jenny Holzer so on that day that she just had that [phrase] right in her back pocket? And he was just so on that he knew exactly where to put it and keep it. So, that’s the thing I was compelled by. It just led to such a visceral kind of statement, and it’s that nice thing between design and art. Jenny Holzer’s comment is all about desire and consumerism.

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Mexico City’s Alberto Villarreal and Michel Rojkind collaborate as AGENT, a strategic product development studio that will be exhibiting two new projects, “OUT” and “Isle of I,” at the ICFF this weekend. Both of the pieces were commissioned to complement specific interiors in Mexico: “OUT” is a chair that was designed for public work areas in Monterrey’s Outbox office complex, while “Isle of I” is a bathroom sink & mirror fixture for R432, a high-end residential tower in Mexico City.

The “OUT” chair is manufactured out of a single piece of plywood, such that the back leg doubles as a narrow storage space for books or magazines. The combination of the form and the material also provides “natural cushioning for the back rest.”

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In May 2010, the New York design community lost one of its most prolific and influential designers of the current generation, Tobias Wong. Blurring the boundary between conceptual art and design, the work of Tobias questioned the value system of objects and pretensions of designers with wit, satire and humor.

Nine celebrated New York-based designers have come together to interpret and reflect the work of Tobias through their unique and individual design sensibilities.

Through the lens of Tobias we hope to gain new insight into our work by questioning our personal values, design process and the necessity of humor by remembering never to take life or yourself too seriously.

We here at Core77 are proud to present exclusive interviews with the designers next week, leading up to BrokenOff BrokenOff. Each of the designers we have spoken with have a personal story to share and a unique perspective to celebrating the life and legacy of Tobias Wong.

BrokenOff BrokenOff
May 14th – 17th

Gallery R’Pure
3 East 19th Street
New York City

Featured Designers
Brad Ascalon
Dror Benshetrit
Todd Bracher
Stephen Burks
Joe Doucet
Josee Lepage
Frederick McSwain
Marc Thorpe
David Weeks

The designers will be participating in a conversation at Wanted Design NYC on Friday, May 13th. In addition, 50% of any and all profits from the show will be donated to the NYC Children’s Art Fund, giving back to design and art education to underprivileged children in New York City.

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Core77 is pleased to announce the launch of our annual NY Design Week event guide. We know that many of you have been eagerly awaiting our comprehensive listings so you can get the most out of that whirlwind weekend, which is just two short weeks away.

We hope our readers can appreciate the extra hours we’ve put in this time around: 2011 marks the first year that Core77’s NY Design Week listing can be sorted by date or neighborhood for easy reference. Moreover, we’re working on yet another handy tool for those of you who are more geographically-inclined, so stay tuned for the last piece of our ever-expanding event guide.

We’re still accepting submissions as events are finalized, so send details about your NY Design Week event to calendar@core77.com as soon as possible!

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