I just read the disturbing news on Core77 that Tobias Wong, a young, extremely talented artist and designer, passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 35. One of my favorite projects by Tobias was his Diamond Project from 2004. Click through to read the press release...
Above: Self Portrait by Tobias Wong
I just read the disturbing news on Core77 that Tobias Wong, a young, extremely talented artist and designer, passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 35. One of my favorite projects by Tobias was his Diamond Project from 2004. Click through to read the press release...
D. TOBIAS WONG, 1974-2010
D. Tobias Wong, the Canadian-born, New York-based artist and designer,
passed away in the early morning of Sunday, May 30, 2010. He was 35.
Through his work, Wong helped bring forth much of what is now taken for
granted in contemporary culture. Influenced by Dada and, especially, Fluxus, he
questioned authorship through appropriation; held a mirror to our desires and
absurdities; upended the hierarchy between design and art, and the precious
and the banal; and helped redefine collaboration and curation as creative
practices. Working within what he termed a "paraconceptual" framework, Wong
prompted a reevaluation of everything we thought we knew about design: its
production, its psychological resonance, its aesthetic criteria, its means of
distribution, its attachment to provenance, its contextualization and its manner
of presentation. Wong was a keen observer, an original mind, a brilliant
prankster, and an unerring friend.
Wong's work was widely exhibited, including at the Museum of Modern Art and
Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. His many projects included those for
Colette, Comme des Garcons, Prada/OMA, Cappellini and Swarovski Crystal
Palace. In addition to the objects he created, re-created, repurposed, rarefied
and otherwise manipulated, Wong's work included events and happenings that
included, among many others, a pop-up tattoo parlor at Art Basel Miami
Beach/Design Miami and the Wrong Store, a "store" in New York that was in
fact never open. (As with much of Wong's work, both were collaborations.)
Wong was named Young Designer of the Year by Wallpaper* magazine (2004)
as well as the Brooklyn Museum of Art (2006). In 2008 and 2009, he served as
founding co-creative director of 100% Design Shanghai, affiliated with the
100% Design fairs in London and Tokyo.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Wong studied in Toronto before moving to New
York in 1997 to attend the Cooper Union, from which he graduated with a major
in sculpture. He is survived by his mother, stepfather, brother, partner and BFF.
5 Comments
Oh my goodness. I just found his website 2 months ago.
Here's a look at much of Tobias Wong's witty work, collaborations and the brilliant and unique legacy he has left behind.
http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2010/06/work-of-tobias-wong-may-he-redesign.html
May he rest in peace.
Shouldn't we mention that it was a suicide?
what were the circumstances unicorn?
I am shocked. I happened upon his website for the first time tonight and immediately thought that he was a genius. I was going to send a note of admiration when I saw an obituary posted in a Toronto news website. That was a bit disconcerting.
Rest in peace. I am sorry I did not get familiar with your brilliant work until now.
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