Incollect Magazine - Issue 11

Incollect Magazine 19 The artist models his forms on a computer using a mixture of mathematical and visual effects software programs, often dividing the design into as many as 100 different triangular shapes. Then the real fun begins. “The physical making process, the folding and welding of the sheet metal facets adds a profound layer of depth to the design,” he says. His work has a commanding presence in a room, but also a lightness, stemming from the way his pieces reflect ambient light and the colors of the surroundings. For this reason, he prefers to work in mirror stainless steel, to maximize the reflective quality of his pieces, but has also become more interested in the use of colored metals for his designs. “I started using colored metal 7 or 8 years ago,” he says, “and it is increasingly popular with clients. I personally prefer the classic stainless steel just because it acts more as a mirror and the pieces have an airy weightlessness, which I like. The bronze color has also been popular recently with collectors and black stainless steel is popular now too — it looks really fantastic and impressive.” Half of Mayor’s work is freestanding and wall- mounted sculpture, and the other half functional furniture, both of which he shows via Twentieth Gallery in Los Angeles. His designs include a variety of chairs, lamps, consoles, side tables, dining sets, and a metal couch made of 100 pieces of triangular blue metal. “I like making chairs because they’re a unique challenge,” the artist says. His website includes examples of 20 chairs which he has produced over 20 years of designing, including the “Fernando Copper Chair” made of welded mirror finish copper designed in 2012 and developed on computer and with scale models. “Copper is more expensive but it has this luster and warmth,” he says. “Kelly Wearstler bought one of these,” Mayor says, speaking about the “Fernando Copper Chair”. He also sold one to Galila Barzilai Hollander, a collector with her own museum space called P.O.C. (Passion Obsession Collection) top: Cyclops Wall Piece, welded mirror polished stainless steel. Courtesy of Twentieth. bottom: Detail of Cyclops Wall Piece .