by Tamara Moscowitz

Taking a detour from seeing some of the latest general design trends was a visit to the Magen H. Gallery’s exhibition of “Le Forgeron du Fer” (The Blacksmith of Steel) the first US retrospective of French sculptor Alain Douillard.

Douillard’s anti-intellectual approach to working with metal, beginning in the 60s, incorporates and combines the visceral with the roughness of metal pieces such as scrap sheets and car frameworks. Creating simple, yet intricately crafted pieces, reflect Douillard’s deeply personal response to the inherent characteristics of the material. Lamps, chairs, tables, and sculptures make subtle individualistic statements.

The exhibition features over 60 works in sculpture and decorative arts from the 70s to the present along with jewelry from 1960-2004 is on view through November 12, all too short a time, so plan a trip downtown sooner than later. A price list is available from Magen H. Gallery. http://www.magenxxcentury.com/, (212) 777-8670.