Markus Haase

MARKUS HAASE

Copyright © June, 2023 Todd Merrill

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Todd Merrill & Associates, Inc.

80 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10013 www.toddmerrillstudio.com

MARKUS HAASE

Markus Haase

Markus Haase / Todd Merrill.

1. artist — monograph.

Design by Dallas Dunn

MARKUS HAASE

Sometime around 2014 Markus Haase walked into my Bleecker Street gallery, confidently looked around and stated, “I can make anything that I see here on the floor.” Naturally I was skeptical. What surrounded him was a virtual catalogue of artistic materials and styles ranging from historic to the most contemporary -- cast bronze, polychrome enameled steel, sculpted wood and stone, acrylic, gilding, marquetry and so on. Haase proceeded to show us an impressive series of his own sculptural work, which proved his bravado was well founded.

Influenced by classic and modern European sculptors, Haase masterfully combines several types of stone and wood into one piece, laminating the materials together and carving straight through them.

Haase -- young looking and physically imposing -- had immigrated to New York City from his native Germany with 25 years of experience as a sculptor. First drawn to the medium as an artistic outlet, his parents directed him towards a more practical trade education. He entered a master electrician program, which would last nearly eight years. During this time he apprenticed with a stone carver, learning the centuries old trade. His natural talent for sculpting allowed him to easily emulate architectural stone works found throughout Europe. Never fully entering the electrical trade, Haase went on to become a master stone carver, repairing some of the great cathedrals in central Europe while pursuing his own artistic output.

As we talked, Haase expressed the desire to make furniture related to his sculpture -- sculpted stone and wood, handcrafted and functional. We requested a simple small table as a “proof work” to what he could produce. Two weeks later he presented us with the Crossover Table, a beautiful and completely unique sculptural design combining stone and wood in an interlocking form inspired by human coupling. The table was strong in inspiration and exquisite in the handling of materials. Needless to say, it was an instant success as commissions sold to several top decorators in a variety of materials and sizes.

Haase’s work frequently relates to the human form or is drawn from nature. Bold in design, each unique concept is executed by the artist’s hand with a client’s requirements in mind. Thus began the “design” career of Markus Haase, with consistent hallmarks such the Crossover Table, the Bang Series, the Aeolian Tables, and most recently the Sculptural Lighting series, and the Circlet Series of cast bronze lighting.

The Bang Series is Haase’s statement in case furniture –cantilevered, stack laminated wood and stone have been carved together in an iconic and whimsical gun shape. Commanding in its presence, Bang, by combining stone and wood, is unlike any other art furniture in the genre.

The Aeolian series, is inspired by ripples in windblown sand, epitomizing the sculptor’s distinct approach to fluid carving both wood and stone, where smooth undulations of bleached ash and white marble appear as malleable as drapery.

In 2015 Haase began incorporating his electrical expertise into new designs. By embracing advancements in LED lighting and using these in congress with hand carved onyx, alabaster, wood, and bronze Haase is producing lighting that has no counterpoint in the market. This series of sculptural pendants and sconces continues to evolve with Haase’s ever changing output.

He is the only artist working today, creating one-of-a-kind bespoke lighting in bronze. Rather than using the material casting as a mechanism for producing multiples, each of Haase’s bronze and onyx light sculptures is completely unique. Each component is hand-carved as a foam model to be cast in bronze using “lost mould” method. Precious stone, onyx or alabaster is hand-carved and set in the bronze like jewelry, diffusing the internal LEDs.

Haase embodies the independent artisan. Each piece bears the distinct mark of the maker’s hand. He is not making a piece of furniture that looks like art. He is a sculptor making art that serves functional ends.

- Todd Merrill

LIGHTING

CIRCLET SERIES

CLOUD SERIES

SCULPTURAL SERIES

VENUS SERIES

Haase’s latest groups of sculptural lighting, the Cloud Series and the Circlet Series employ fresh and innovative design techniques while taking visual clues from his earlier hand-carved, laminated marble sculptures. Markus began carving his own stone sculptures long before he contemplated making functional design. His stone sculptures incorporate sensuous forms with abstracted vision inspired by Brancusi. With a strong focus on asymmetry, Hasse creates faceted structures that catch and reflect light while seeming to defy gravity with a surprising weightlessness. His unique lighting designs begin with a hand-carved foam model, which is then cast in his studio, using a selfdeveloped technique. Stone – onyx or alabaster – is hand-carved with undulating lines mimicking the bronze “setting” of the work while diffusing dimmable LEDs. The ethereal glow of his jewelry-like fixtures is unparalleled in today’s diverse market of art and design. The series includes bespoke chandeliers and sconces.

Haase’s monumental Cloud Series Light Sculpture “Stratus” was commissioned for The Cortland, Related Companies’ new waterfront condominiums located at 555 West 22nd Street in New York City. The nearly 30 foot long by 8 foot wide bronze, onyx and LED suspended sculpture will welcome residents in the lobby. Hung from the ceiling at varying levels, the installation is composed of tiered, interconnected bronze and onyx “vines” and “rings” embedded with LEDs. Haase’s “Stratus” creates a sweeping landscape of radiant, sculpted light.

“Stratus” was chosen to be shown as a solo exhibition in Switzerland at the prestigious Design Miami Basel design fair as a part of Art Basel 2021.

Cloud Series Light Sculpture “Stratus”, 2021

Bronze, onyx, LEDs

54H x 324W x 96D inches

Cloud Series Light Sculpture No. 1, 2019

Bronze, onyx, LEDs

36H x 96W x 36D inches

Algae Series Light Sculpture, 2022

Bronze, Onyx, LEDs

23H x 129W x 23D inches

Algae Series Light Sculpture, 2023

Blackened Bronze, Onyx, LEDs

23H x 129W x 23D inches

Circlet Series Light Sculpture No.1, 2018

Bronze, onyx, LEDs

48H x 60W x 36D inches

Circlet Series Light Sculpture No. 2, 2020

Bronze, onyx, LEDs

29h x 94w x 30d inches

Circlet Series Mirror Console, 2020

Bronze, onyx, mirror, LEDs

80H x 40W x 18D inches

The Circlet Sconce features an organically shaped ring, cast in polished bronze, that extends from a pivoting arm for a visual interest that is both, elegant and versatile. Bespoke sizing available by commission.

Circlet Series Sconce, 2018

Bronze, onyx, LEDs

21.5H x 8.5W x 6D inches

Circlet

Bronze, onyx, LEDs

28H x 14W x 7.5D inches

Series Pendant, 2019

Haase can create custom light fixtures in bespoke sizes and from a variety of woods, stones and metal. Gaining critical attention from designers and collectors today, the artist’s work is currently being commissioned worldwide and exhibited at art fairs internationally.

The Sculptural Sconce features an asymmetrical “butterfly” form that extends elegantly into space. These unique works retain their luminescent quality even when unlit. Seen in American black walnut, the finish of the wood perfectly contrasts the light glow from the onyx. Bleached ash, and cast bronze can also be accommodated.

Sculptural Sconce, 2016

American Black Walnut or Ash, White Onyx and LED’s

60”H x 8.5”W x 3.5”D

Bronze Sculptural Sconce, 2016

Bronze, White Onyx and LED’s

60”H x 8.5”W x 3.5”D

Sculptural Chandelier (4 Arm), 2016

Bleached Ash, White Onyx and LED’s

36” W x 40”H

Sculptural

Bleached Ash, White Onyx and LED’s

39”H x 34”W

Chandelier (5 Arm)

39”H x 34”W

Sculptural Chandelier Bronze (5 Arm), 2020

Wormed Bronze, Onyx, LEDs

As the ancient Greek stone masters turned to the ideal human form to depict their gods and goddesses, Haase reignites the tradition with a contemporary aesthetic that is all his own. Commanding and dynamic, the Venus Series plays with forms both feminine and masculine.

As Haase works on a commission basis, a bespoke version may be made to order with custom dimensions and materials.

Bleached Ash, White Onyx and LED’s

52”H x 11”W x 11”D

Venus Series Bronze Sconce, 2019

Bronze, White Onyx and LED’s

52”H x 11”W x 11”D

Markus Haase’s Wrapped Sconce embodies the artist’s exploration of natural forms, precision hand-carving and cutting-edge lighting technology. This unique mounted sculpture features a carved asymmetric design as the wood effortlessly wraps and folds across the central marble spear. As with the Venus Series the contrast of material and form give the Wrapped Sconce both masculine and feminine elements.

As Haase works on a commission basis, a bespoke version may be made to order with custom dimensionality and materials.

FURNITURE

Markus Haase’s one-of-a-kind 12-foot handcrafted dining table features a sculpted American black walnut top resting on a bronze tripod, supported by a carved limestone base. The organically shaped bronze tripod is sculpted in foam and then cast in the artist’s New York City studio. Contrasting the brilliance of the tripod’s mirror polished bronze, the soft hand-carved limestone base anchors the table in perfect harmony.

Bespoke sizing available by commission.

Walnut, Bronze, and Limestone

Dining Table, 2017

American Walnut, Bronze, Limestone

28.5H x 144W x 60D inches

Taking inspiration from the twisting forms of seaweed and other natural materials, Haase hand-carves each element of his unique dining chair before casting it in his studio. The bronze components are then welded together and polished to a mirror finish or finished with a hand rubbed dark patina. Shown upholstered in white pony skin, the chair can be upholstered in a variety of materials.

Bronze Dining Chair, 2018

Bronze and pony hair

37.5H x 22.5W x 18D inches

Bronze, Walnut, and Limestone Foyer Table, USA, 2022

Bronze, American black walnut, limestone

32H x 71W x 50D inches

AEOLIAN SERIES

Markus Haase’s majestic Aeolian Series is inspired by ripples in windblown sand, epitomizing the sculptor’s distinct approach to fluidly melding disparate material such as wood, bronze, and stone.

Shown in both bleached ash and shou sugi ban ash, Haase’s Aeloian Series includes side tables and low tables.

Shou-sugi-ban is an ancient Japanese finishing technique that preserves wood by charring it with fire. In addition to being aesthetically striking and elegant, the chaise is rot, pest, weather, UV light, and fire resistant.

Haase, who began his career doing historic restoration, embodies the independent artisan creating one of a kind works without the aid of a studio of assistants or fabricators. Each piece has the distinct marks of the maker’s hand from his fluidly carved console tables to his celebrated light sculptures that mimic natural forms such as antlers, stalactites, cliff sides or ocean waves.

Haase’s custom Billiards table emphasizes the versatility of his original, nature inspired motif.

The smooth undulations of the sculpted wood sides appear as malleable as drapery. The entire table, though powerful and weighty in material manages to convey a gentle movement as it is viewed from each angle. Sculpted bronze legs provide a weighty counterpoint to the delicacy of the carved wood.

Created as a custom commission for a prominent Swiss art collector, the billiards table is a strong example of the demand for contemporary design objects to hold as much structural function as exemplary sculpture integrity.

Aeolian Billiards Table, 2021

Bleached ash, Bronze, Felt

21H x 108W x 54D inches

Aeolian Low Table, 2016

Shou Sugi Ban Ash and Marble

20” H x 59.5” W x 42.5” L

Aeolian

Bleached Ash and Marble

22” H x 16” W x 13” D

Side Table, 2016

At once sublime works of art and functional objects, the case pieces of Haase’s Bang Series are unique, hand-carved consoles that defies easy categorization. His two decades of experience as a sculptor are evident the masterful treatment of materials, where smooth undulations of walnut appear as malleable as drapery. The wood curves in convex and concave forms beneath a hand-carved marble top. Haase proves himself to be as equally adept at sculpting in stone as in wood and while mastering the technique of stack lamination. Like a classical sculpture balanced in contraposto, the pieces are rendered at ideal aesthetic equilibrium: the bold, dense structure appears to grow from the ground and is met with a lightness and levity from the asymmetric, cantilevered surface.

Bang conveys speed and movement; it is about to propel and take off. Through automotive allusion and intricate carvings, the wood appears windblown, and the structure accelerating. Haase has transformed simple organic forms into futuristic shapes that exude declare power and speed, while remaining sinuous and elegant in stature. The piece is fit with one storage drawer and is wall-mounted. A commissioned piece may be custom ordered with bespoke dimensionality and materials.

Bang III, 2015

Bleached American Black Walnut and Marble

38”H x 72”W x 17”D

The Walnut Crossover Table, 2014

American Walnut, Calacatta Marble, Steel Pins, Epoxy

24” H x 26” D x 25” W

The Crossover Table in Teak, 2014

Teak, Calacatta Marble, Steel Pins, Epoxy

24” H x 26” D x 25” W

Todd Merrill Studio

For over fifteen years, Todd Merrill Studio has exhibited and purveyed the finest selection of post-war American studio furniture. In 2008, Rizzoli published Merrill’s “Modern Americana: Studio Furniture from High Craft to High Glam”, the first ever authoritative examination of the great studio furniture makers and designers who, from 1940 thru the 1990s defined American high style. To celebrate the tenth anniversary, Rizzoli published an expanded edition in 2018, adding 60 pages to his original book. This survey of the period included two additional chapters highlighting the importance of Women Makers and Showrooms.

In 2009, shortly after the initial publication of “Modern Americana”, Merrill launched Studio Contemporary, in an effort to develop and represent the work of an international group of established and emerging contemporary artists. Today, their work is sought after by a wide range of art and design patrons, from collectors and decorators, to curators and museum academics.

While their work may be functional or historically based, each artist brings a fresh perspective and a desire to express more than just decorative influence. With an ever growing range of mediums--from textile to porcelain, to marble and LEDs--their joint curation at Studio Contemporary relies upon their shared drive to push those materials to their absolute aesthetic limits. The

result: dynamic, handmade, and unique pieces that contribute to today’s increasingly relevant “grey space” between art and design.

The gallery has progressively cultivated and established new artists, placing their work into private and public collections which include The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (New York), The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston), The Museum of Art and Design (New York), The Victoria and Albert Museum (London), Centre Georges Pompidou (Paris), The High Museum of Art (Atlanta), and The Brooklyn Museum (New York), and the Carnegie Museum of Art (Pennsylvania), amongst others.

The gallery exhibits throughout the year at some of the leading art and design fairs in the world. A selection of these includes The Salon Art + Design (New York);  Design Miami (Basel, Switzerland and Miami); FOG: Design + Art (San Francisco); the Pavilion of Arts and Design (New York, Paris, Geneva, and London); Collectible (Brussels); Masterpiece (London); Collect (London); Gallery Seoul (Seoul); The International Fine Art & Antiques Dealer Show (New York); Zona MACO (Mexico City); Tajan (Paris); Design Days Dubai (Dubai); Art Wynwood (Miami); Art Toronto (Toronto).