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Stemmers - Sculptures

The networked spheres and interdependent multifaceted structures found in each sculpture suggest a multitude of processes and phenomena in the natural and built environment. While their forms clearly follow basic laws of economy and self-organization found in adaptive bubble structures, there is also an intended association to organic cell clusters.

With an emphasis on the most fundamental form of autonomy—the Membrane: both a barrier and communicator between the self and the environment—Fried suggests an abstract embodiment of the origin of life-forms - natural or engineered.

Their forms appear in an undifferentiated yet fertile state—like a Venus von Willendorf at conception—full of potential, ready for chance, influence and self-determination. Anti-fragile balancing acts operating far from equilibrium - individualities in an interdependent process of becoming.

In Fried’s mirror polished stainless steel versions, we see the environment and ourselves reflected in the faceted surfaces, absorbed 360° by the sculpture. Its appearance is integrated with–and largely defined by its environment, hinting that one‘s sense of identity is a complex development of ‘nature and nurture’.

The sharp networked angles formed by intersecting spheres of varying size result in dynamic shapes that in spite of their clean mathematical origin appear biological, and seem to possess an abstract yet curiously personal character.

Fried coined the term ‘Stemmer’ as a personifying name for stem-cell creations. Currently the stem-cell is the most promising yet controversial, programmable, self-reproducing building-block on a cellular level, which in the hands of the genetic engineer, has become the absolute malleable ‘bio-porcelain’ of choice at the turn of this century.

As in many of Fried’s other works, the artist presents us with minimalist symbolic imagery that suggests a fusion of mythological and scientific beliefs, while calling attention to the manipulative processes that are now deeply rooted in our cultures. By resurrecting and modernizing humankind’s oldest fertility icons—in an era whereby applied technologies are trumping the oldest form of reproduction and evolution—with fertility icons of a synthetic nature, Fried confronts us with our desire and ability to alter nature’s course, and perhaps the future of our own evolutionary process.

David Fried, Stemmer, ST2-22, 2022, stainless steel, flip-flop lacquer, 35 x 33 x 74 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, ST3-22, 2022, stainless steel, flip-flop lacquer, 35 x 30 x 80 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, No.5, 2005, acrylic and urethane, paint, 130 x 58 x 47 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, no.2, 2003. acrylic and urethane, paint, 50 x 55 x 85 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, No.7, 2005, acrylic and urethane, paint, 115 x 57 x 50 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, S2, 2015, mirror polished stainless steel. 415 x 135 x 140 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer ST-2-18, 2018, polished stainless steel, 55 x 45 x 167 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer ST-2-18, 2018, polished stainless steel, 55 x 45 x 167 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer ST-1-18, 2018, polished stainless steel, 60 x 70 x 160 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer ST-1-18, 2018, polished stainless steel, 60 x 70 x 160 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, No.T1, 2009, acrylic and urethane, paint, 87 x 37 x 30 cm

David Fried, Stemmer, No.6c, 2012, acrylic and urethane, paint, 100 x 42x 40 cm.

Stemmer, No.ST3-15, 2015, acrylic and urethane, paint, 45 x 45 x 187cm.

Stemmer, S4-2012, stainless steel, 36 x 60 x 70 cm.

Stemmer, ST3-09, 2019, stainless steel, 50 x 56 x 120 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, No.1, 2005, acrylic and urethane, paint, 47 x 37 x 30 cm

Dark Matters, installation Ostrale Dresden, 2014. Stainless Steel, ca. 500 x 500 cm.

Stemmer, H1, 2010, stainless steel, 35 x 30 x 30 cm.

Stemmer, H1, 2010, stainless steel, 36 x 22 x 20 cm.

Installation Interversalities, H2-15, 2015, stainless steel, 300 x 240 x 200 cm.

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David Fried, Stemmer, No.4b, 2009, acrylic, urethane, pearlescent paint, 129x60x60 cm.

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David Fried, Stemmer no.7e/5e, 2006, resin, pealescent lack, each ca. 10 x 10 x 24 cm.

David Fried, Stemmer, G15-09, 2015, 20 x 20 x 25 cm. PLA, resin, stone, lacquer.

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Systemmers

David Fried, Systemmer, SST-5, 2016, 280 x 145 x 152 cm. stainless steel, lacquer.

David Fried, Systemmer, SST-6, 2016, 135 x 140 x 160 cm. stainless steel, lacquer.

David Fried, Systemmer, S3-16, 2016, 47 x 50 x 46 cm. stainless-steel, lacquer

David Fried, Systemmer, S1-16, 2016, 45 x 53 x 76 cm. stainless-steel, pu powdercoat

David Fried, Systemmer, S2-16, 2016, 32 x 37 x 48cm. stainless-steel, lacquer

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Translibriums

David Fried, Translibrium, 1-16, 2016, 39 x 45 x 59 cm. mdf, lacquer

David Fried, Translibrium, 2-16, 2016, 58 x 54 x 45 cm. mdf, lacquer

David Fried, Translibrium, 3-16, 2016, 44 x 42 x 49 cm. mdf, lacquer

David Fried, Translibrium, 3L-16, 2L-16, 2016

David Fried, Translibrium , detail

> Stemmers / page 2