Zadik Zadikian: A Maestro of Material and Metamorphosis

An Artist of Transcendent Journey

Zadik Zadikian is more than just an Armenian artist and furniture designer; he is a legend, mythmaker, and voyager across geographical and artistic boundaries. Born in 1948 in Erevan, Soviet Armenia, he swam across the perilous Araks River to escape the Soviet Union. He crafted his life and art through a transformative journey, spanning multiple continents and artistic disciplines. This blog post delves into the mesmerizing world of Zadikian, exploring his prolific artistry that blends sculpture, installation, and furniture design into a sublime tapestry of form and material.

The Early Years: Sculptural Foundations

Zadikian’s artistic odyssey began with his education in sculpture at the Art Academy of Erevan. Even at this early stage, his work displayed a profound sense of scale and form, quickly gaining recognition and leading to exhibitions in contemporary art museums in Erevan and Moscow. The academic training provided Zadikian with the fundamental building blocks of art, but his indomitable spirit led him to risk everything for freedom. In 1967, he swam across the Araks River, braving freezing temperatures and border guards, to escape the confining world of Soviet Armenia.

The American Sojourn: Transformation through Influence and Collaboration

Arriving in San Francisco in 1969, Zadikian found a mentor in sculptor Benjamino Bufano. The influence of Bufano’s prolific work ethic and focus on public space art profoundly impacted him, further refining his sense of scale and colour. In 1974, when he moved to New York City, his circle widened to include other art-world luminaries like Richard Serra. His collaborations with Serra in creating large black oil-stick wall drawings marked yet another transformative phase in his artistic development.

A Golden Fascination: The P.S. 1 Installation and Beyond

One of the hallmarks of Zadikian’s oeuvre is his enthralling fascination with gold. His 1975 installation at P.S. 1 in Long Island City, titled “1,000 Bricks Gilded in 22 Carat Gold Leaf,” was a prelude to his obsession with this precious material. Gold became not just an aesthetic choice but also a thematic underpinning, which he employed later in his furniture pieces and other installations. This opulent material allowed him to create aesthetically compelling, conceptually intense, and emotionally resonant spaces.

Transition into Furniture Design: Fusing Functionality with Art

In 1987, Zadikian diversified his portfolio to include furniture design. His foray into functional goods led to iconic pieces like the expansive Nina sofa and the sinuous circular Regina chairs. Crafted from clay models translated into plaster forms, his furniture pieces were often gilded with marbleized gold leaf, maintaining a stylistic consistency with his earlier installations. The fusion of functionality and extravagant form showcases Zadikian’s mastery over diverse media.

Zadikian Today: The Eternal Alchemist

Recently, Zadikian has worked prolifically, creating art transcending conventional categorization. His pieces demonstrate a quest for the eternal as they border on the realms of the timeless and the otherworldly. According to a feature by Huffington Post, his ongoing projects in Los Angeles hint at a revolutionary approach to artistry and collaboration. Far from being content with past glories, Zadikian remains an artist in flux, constantly pushing the boundaries of form, material, and artistic collaboration.

Conclusion: The Confluence of Art and Life

Zadik Zadikian is an artist whose life story is as compelling as his extensive work. From his difficult journey out of Soviet Armenia to his pioneering contributions to sculpture and furniture design, he represents an amalgamation of courage, skill, and a ceaseless quest for aesthetic beauty. His pieces—whether sculpture, installation, or furniture—are all interconnected vignettes in a larger narrative that celebrates the boundless possibilities of art and the human spirit.

Zadikian’s art challenges us to look beyond the surface, beckoning us to ponder the profound questions of existence, beauty, and transformation. A living legend, he continues to shape the world of art and design, leaving an indelible, captivating, and thought-provoking imprint.

Source

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

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