Primal Stone by Mariko Mori | Guggenheim Artist Edition
stopdontstop by Douglas Gordon | Guggenheim Artist Edition
TIMØ Ronan and May Redding | Guggenheim International Gala | New York City | November 8, 2007
"Three memories I'll always treasure:
One. Douglas Gordon pillow. We didn't have much time. 10 weeks. Start to finish. Limited artist edition of 500 pcs. To save time, I wanted to make my prototype pillow locally, in NYC, so while in town: I could present it to the Gugg; Bronwyn could get a fast approval; Factory would have an approved pattern and sample to work with. Save a lot of time. May took me to see Marc Jacob's leather maker in the the Fashion District. He made us a sample in 24 hours; Guggenheim approval at breakfast in Nolita on SAT; Approved prototype FedEx'd to factory SAT afternoon. West Village open 'til 2PM back then.
Two. Mariko Mori primal pouch. I got to spend a lot of time with Mariko and I got to know her a bit. She's really an amazing person. First meetings were at her studio which was totally from the future. Everything white and iridescent. Like Bjork from space. Then she invited me to her home which was more traditional and warmly lit. A pleasure to meet her daughter. Later in life, after having a son, I understood how special that was. Apart from getting to craft something so simple, yet learn to understand the Japanese approach to detail, getting to connect with another human like that was sublime.
Maybe the best part was that the Guggenheim hooked me up with 4 tickets to the Gala, and a suite at the W Times Square for the weekend, close to a $25K value. Obviously took May. The other two... Well... I flew in my parents from Chicago. The last time they came to town, they saw me being helped into the back of a New York City squad car. Funny story. Figured this might balance out The Force. Early drinks at the W. Then we all went together. Was a movie for real. The Patrick McMullen photo was taken as we walked in. May and I knew Chance, the photographer, from around the way. You can imagine. Mentally... James Dean, Steve McQueen, Bruce Lee, Rumble Fish Mode."
TIMØ
Guggenheim Artist Editions: Douglas Gordon & Mariko Mori
In 2007 and 2008, TIMØ was commissioned by the Guggenheim Museum in New York to collaborate with renowned contemporary artists Douglas Gordon and Mariko Mori to design and fabricate unique artist multiples for the prestigious Guggenheim International Galas. These exclusive editions were gifted to patrons attending the $5,000-per-plate galas, which drew luminaries from the worlds of art, fashion, and entertainment, and featured high-stakes auctions by Christie’s and other major houses.
2007: Douglas Gordon’s stopdontstop Decorative Pillow
Douglas Gordon, a Turner Prize-winning conceptual artist known for works like 24 Hour Psycho and Play Dead; Real Time, collaborated with TIMØ to create a provocative artist edition. The piece, titled stopdontstop, was a decorative pillow that embodied Gordon’s commentary on the relationship between artists and the art industry.
Each pillow featured 13 unique bite marks, embossed directly into one side of the pillow's white lambskin leather surface, while the reverse side was crafted from glossy white patent leather. Patent leather piping added a refined finish. Each bite pattern was individually crafted, making every pillow one-of-a-kind.
The pillow was packaged with equal attention to detail:
• A canvas tote with a patent leather strap and an embossed pocket mirroring the bite marks.
• A custom-printed, non-woven drawstring bag featuring sponsor logos.
2008: Mariko Mori’s Primal Stone Custom Pouch
Mariko Mori, an acclaimed artist known for futuristic works like Wave UFO and Pure Land, collaborated with TIMØ to design an elegant pouch to house her Primal Stone sculptures. The Primal Stone was Mori’s tribute to humanity's first tool, the cleft stone, reimagined in iridescent, crystalline materials emblematic of her signature aesthetic.
TIMØ worked closely with Mori to fabricate the perfect vessel:
• Material: Imported white Japanese Ultrasuede with a luxurious white silk lining to protect the delicate sculpture.
• Luxury Details: A beveled stainless steel artist plaque embossed with her name.
Drawstring Tabs: Crafted from eco-friendly white leather, embossed with the Guggenheim logo on one side and sponsor branding on the other.
A Celebration of Art and Elegance
These artist multiples were presented as exclusive gifts to gala patrons, reflecting the intersection of art and luxury that defined the Guggenheim International Galas. The events were star-studded celebrations, with attendees including art world giants, celebrities, and global high society.
In 2008, TIMØ witnessed the vibrancy of the art market firsthand, including a Richard Prince photograph selling for $1.4 million during the evening's auction. These events, and the artist multiples created for them, remain a testament to TIMØ’s ability to merge creative collaboration, high craftsmanship, and the prestige of contemporary art.
