designer raphael navot debuts ‘reverberations’ at friedman benda’s los angeles gallery

the paris-based designer arrives at friedman benda los angeles

Friedman Benda announces the opening of Paris-based Israeli designer Raphael Navot’s first solo exhibition at its Los Angeles gallery. Born in 1977 in Jerusalem, the artist has established a distinguished career in design and interior architecture. He runs his own studio in Paris, where he continues to explore and innovate within the realms of design. By 2023, he had been awarded Maison&Objet Designer of the Year — see designboom’s coverage here!

The exhibition, titled Reverberations, will run from July 11th to September 25th, 2024, and will showcase Navot’s unique visual language and artistic sensibility within the gallery’s intimate, residential setting overlooking West Hollywood. Reverberations is the largest presentation of Navot’s work to date, emphasizing his ability to synthesize various elements such as proportion, volume, material, palette, construction, and motif. Each table and chair on display within the exhibition is crafted with nuance and precision, which reflects Navot’s dedication to creating works that resonate with design-minded viewers.

Raphael Navot, Acrostic Overlay Armchair (Left), 2021, image © Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt
all images courtesy of Friedman Benda and Raphael Navot

raphael navot sets off reverberations in design

Reverberations, the title of the exhibition at Friedman Benda, alludes to Raphael Navot’s aim to create pieces that ‘reverberate across the currents of the origins of design’ itself. His works are conceived in response to the fundamental human need for connection with one’s body, offering an intuitive sense of composition without sacrificing functionality. Marking his West Coast debut, the artist introduces to LA his acclaimed Acrostic seating pieces at this exhibition. This collection highlights his innovative use of materials such as fine upholstery, wood, eco-resin, and concrete, demonstrating how traditional elements can be re-shaped in ways we might not expect.

Raphael Navot, Tripus, 2023, image © Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt

traditional handcraft reexamined

At Friedman Benda, designer Raphael Navot stresses the importance of craftsmanship, emphasizing the touch of the hand and the tradition embedded in each piece. He comments, ‘There is something about craft, the touch of the hand, the work behind it, the magic of just the material itself and the fact that we can actually see and feel the tradition, the heritage, the knowledge that is so embedded in the piece itself.’ With Reverberations, Navot reexamines traditional European handcraft techniques through the lens of advanced contemporary technology. This approach allows him to push the boundaries of his chosen materials, creating innovative and surprising works.

Raphael Navot, Clast (Translucent Stream), 2022, image © Daniel Kukla
Raphael Navot, Quartet Chair, 2022, image © Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt
Raphael Navot, Whale Armchair, 2021, image © Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt