Bennet Schlesinger
In Tune With Itself
February 24 – April 13 2024
Opening
Saturday, February 24
6 – 9PM
On View
February 24 – April 13 2024
Wednesday – Saturday
Noon – 5PM
Marta
3021 Rowena Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
ITWI
Marta is pleased to present In Tune With Itself, an exhibition of new light works and moveables by artist Bennet Schlesinger. This harmonious gathering of functions and materialities, loosely defined by their relation to flora, gently sidesteps the confines of conceptual prudence in favor of natural reference—the inherent weave with which surface, seat, vessel, and light bind together in space, cohering with the ease and variegation of an orchestra tuning its instruments.
The initial genesis of ITWI was a desire by the artist—who most often works in and with ceramic, bamboo reed, and handmade papers—to make tile. After experimenting with various expressions of traditional mosaic, Schlesinger ultimately returned to his own background, merging the woodwork training he received from a young age (Bennet is a self-described ‘Waldorf kid’ and the product of an education philosophy renowned for its integration of academic work with the fine and practical arts) with a specific method of surfboard fabrication: recently, while building a board with his uncle, the artist utilized a fabric inlay—the technique by which a piece of fabric is placed between fiberglass layers so that its pattern remains visible after lamination. The experience was later reflected in Schlesinger’s decision to embed hand-painted tiles into the surfaces of the various table works that punctuate the exhibition.
This collaborative approach to craft histories and construction, which has evolved from personal use into public practice (beyond works of lighting, the artist had previously only realized functional pieces for himself), is exemplified in Schlesinger’s creative partnership with designer Emily Dawn Long. Together, the two developed the exhibition’s hand-painted cuboid leather beanbags, studded with ceramic buttons glazed earthen shades of green, blue, and red—a horizon of land, sea, and sky. These tones are echoed in the ceramic sconces that dot the gallery’s walls, supporting luminous paper shades; in the cloudy orange bases of a pair of serenely posed table lamps; in the series of vast planters whose seemingly patinated curvatures dance with the slow growth of lichen on stone. The simultaneous resolution and delicacy of these works settle us into the quietude of the room; of its perdendosi—the gradual diminishment of music into rich silence, having reached the end of a composition.
—
Bennet Schlesinger (b. 1987) is a Ojai- and Costa Mesa-based artist. He has shown work with Karma (New York), the former Signal Gallery (New York), Sebastian Gladstone (Los Angeles), and Soft Opening (London). In Tune With Itself is the artist’s inaugural solo exhibition with Marta, who has represented Schlesinger’s work since Spring, 2023.
Works
Small Light Works — Singles
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.01, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
17.25 × 8.0 × 7.75 in.
43.8 × 20.3 × 19.7 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.02, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
21.25 × 7.0 × 5.0 in.
54.0 × 17.8 × 12.7 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.03, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
21.0 × 8.0 × 7.5 in.
53.3 × 20.3 × 19.1 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.04, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
18.75 × 6.0 × 5.5 in.
47.63 × 15.2 × 14.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.05, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
17.5 × 7.0 × 6.5 in.
44.5 × 17.8 × 16.5 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.06, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
20.0 × 6.5 × 5.5 in.
50.8 × 16.5 × 14.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.07, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
18.5 × 6.5 × 5.5 in.
47.0 × 16.5 × 14.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.10, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
17.0 × 12.0 × 13.0 in.
43.18 × 30.48 × 33.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.12, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
16.5 × 10.0 × 9.5 in.
41.91 × 25.4 × 24.38 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.13, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
17.25 × 6.5 × 5.5 in.
43.8 × 16.5 × 14.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.14, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
19.75 × 11.0 × 11.0 in.
50.2 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.17, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
15.75 × 5.75 × 4.5 in.
40.0 × 14.6 × 11.4 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.18, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
16.0 × 6.0 × 6.0 in.
40.6 × 15.24 × 15.24 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.19, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
18.5 × 6.0 × 5.75 in.
47.0 × 15.2 × 14.6 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.20, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
18.5 × 6.0 × 5.75 in.
47.0 × 15.2 × 14.6 cm
Small Light Works — Pairs
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture Pair 24.15, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
Each 17.0 × 6.5 × 6.5 in.
Each 43.2 × 16.5 × 16.5 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture Pair 24.16, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
Each 23.0 × 10.0 × 9.0 in.
Each 58.4 × 25.4 × 22.9 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture Pair 24.09, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
Each 16.75 × 10.0 × 8.5 in.
Each 42.5 × 25.4 × 21.6 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture Pair 24.21, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
Each 19.0 × 11.0 × 11.0 in.
Each 48.3 × 27.9 × 27.9 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture Pair 24.22, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
Each 17.5 × 9.5 × 9.5 in.
Each 44.5 × 24.1 × 24.1 cm
Small Light Works — Sconces
Bennet Schlesinger
Sconce 24.28, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
14.3 × 5.5 × 7.0 in.
36.2 × 14.0 × 17.8 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Sconce 24.29, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
14.25 × 5.5 × 7.0 in.
36.2 × 14.0 × 17.8 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Sconce 24.30, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
14.3 × 5.5 × 7.0 in.
36.2 × 14.0 × 17.8 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Sconce 24.31, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
14.3 × 5.5 × 7.0 in.
36.2 × 14.0 × 17.8 cm
Light Works — Floor
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.23, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
69.5 × 17.0 × 17.0 in.
176.5 × 43.2 × 43.2 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Untitled Light Sculpture 24.24, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
77.0 × 21.5 × 22.0 in.
195.6 × 54.6 × 55.8 cm
Light Works — Pendant
Bennet Schlesinger
Pendant 24.32, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
20.0 × 39.0 × 38.0 in
50.8 × 99.1 × 96.5 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Linear Pendant 24.33, 2024
Ceramic, Bamboo, Paper, Brass, and Lighting Components
76.5 × 17.0 × 16.0 in
194.3 × 43.2 × 40.6 cm
Poufs w/ Emily Dawn Long
Bennet Schlesinger & Emily Dawn Long
Pouf 1, 2024
Suede, Ceramic, Buckwheat Filling
15.0 × 17.5 × 17.5 in.
38.0 × 44.5 × 44.5 cm
Bennet Schlesinger & Emily Dawn Long
Pouf 2, 2024
Hand-Painted Leather, Ceramic, Buckwheat Filling
15.0 × 17.5 × 17.5 in.
38.0 × 44.5 × 44.5 cm
Bennet Schlesinger & Emily Dawn Long
Pouf 3, 2024
Hand-Painted Leather, Ceramic, Buckwheat Filling
15.0 × 17.5 × 17.5 in.
38.0 × 44.5 × 44.5 cm
Bennet Schlesinger & Emily Dawn Long
Pouf 4, 2024
Hand-Painted Leather, Ceramic, Buckwheat Filling
15.0 × 17.5 × 17.5 in.
38.0 × 44.5 × 44.5 cm
Surface Works
Bennet Schlesinger
Low Table 1, 2024
Walnut, Ceramic
15.0 × 20.5 × 13.5 in.
38.0 × 52.0 × 34.3 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Low Table 2, 2024
Walnut, Ceramic
18.0 × 20.5 × 18.8 in.
45.7 × 52.0 × 47.6 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Low Table 3, 2024
Walnut, Ceramic
21.5 × 20.5 × 13.8 in.
54.6 × 52.1 × 25.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Bench 24.41, 2024
Walnut, Ceramic
17.8 × 79.8 × 13.8 in.
45.0 × 202.6 × 35.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Bench 24.42, 2024
Walnut, Ceramic
17.8 × 79.8 × 13.8 in.
45.0 × 202.6 × 35.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Dining Table 24.43, 2024
Walnut, Ceramic
29.75 × 84.0× 36.5 in.
45.0 × 202.6 × 35.0 cm
Planter Works
Bennet Schlesinger
Planter 24.39, 2024
Ceramic
17.5 × 23.0 × 22.0 in
44.0 × 58.0 × 56.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Planter 24.38, 2024
Ceramic
16.5 × 24.0 × 22.0 in
42.0 × 61.0 × 56.0 cm
Bennet Schlesinger
Planter 24.40, 2024
Ceramic
19.0 × 20.0 × 16.0 in.
48.0 × 50.8 × 40.6 cm
Marta is a Los Angeles-based, globally-engaged art gallery. Founded in 2019, the gallery makes space for artists to experiment with the utility of design, and for designers to explore the abandonment of function. Marta’s curatorial and publication programs take interest in the process of a work’s creation as well the narrative of its creator(s). Marta embraces the intersection of and the transition between disciplines, advocates for diversity in design, and promotes broad access to the arts.