We asked the Bottega Veneta creative director about his fascination with the legendary sculptor, whose aluminum works are on display this summer at the Judd Foundation's 101 Spring Street building.
Bottega Veneta creative director Tomas Maier and the artist Donald Judd are a natural pairing. Their work shares an emphasis on the essential: the form and presence of a piece, the physical experience of moving through a space or wearing a garment. Since his inclusion of Judd’s furniture into the pre-Fall look books for his eponymous brand, Maier redoubled his efforts to collaborate with the Judd Foundation. This May, with support from Maier, a collection of Judd’s aluminum works from the early 1990s opened in an exhibition titled 15 x 105 x 15 at the Judd Foundation’s 101 Spring Street location, running through late July. To mark the collaboration, Document asked Maier about his relationship to the legendary artist and his peaceful works.
Donald Judd, untitled, 1991. Installation view of 15 x 105 x 15. 101 Spring Street, Judd Foundation, April 27 –July 28, 2018. Image by Sol Hashemi © Judd Foundation. Donald Judd Art © Judd Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Document—What is your favorite Donald Judd piece?
Tomas Maier—A large format stack in metal—preferably in galvanized or humble material. I like the plainness and the simplicity of this piece and the large format climbing the wall is quite impressive.
Document—What is your favorite room in the foundation?
Tomas—It’s all nice. There is a peaceful feeling—almost Japanese—and I really like all of the objects he collected and recuperated. A good argument for “less-is-more.”
Document—If you could spend a night on the top floor of the foundation, would you sleep with the Flavin installation off or on?
Tomas—What is the point of turning it off?
Installation view of 15 x 105 x 15. 101 Spring Street, Judd Foundation, April 27 – July 28, 2018. Image by Sol Hashemi © Judd Foundation. Donald Judd Art © Judd Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Document—What is your favorite art piece in the building?
Tomas—It is the complete ensemble that is impressive—even the art they bring in for the exhibitions is done in a sensitive way.
Document—If there was a piece of Judd’s furniture you could make yours, what would it be?
Tomas—They are all beautiful in a sculptural way.
Document—If you could have Judd design a space for you, what would this space look like in five words?
Tomas—Pure, accurate, raw, simple, and emotional.
