THE JUDD FOUNDATION, NOW FURNISHING SOHO

Just a few blocks east of Soho Grand on Spring Street is a living relic of Soho’s multifaceted past: a peek into both the age of Industrialism of the late 1800s, and the “bohemian” artist lifestyle of the late 1960s and 70s. Now, the five story cast-iron building is the preserved former home and studio of Donald Judd, and the New York location of the Judd Foundation.

The massive space is left as Judd wanted it, as a living space that doubles as an art installation, interspersed with a Minimalist array of design objects, Judd’s tools, his furniture, art collection and a rotating exhibition space on the ground floor. Opening earlier this month, this street level space is currently dedicated to Judd himself, highlighting the artist’s Minimalist furniture that he designed and built before his death in 1994. What’s more is that for the first time ever, the Foundation is releasing a line of ready-made pieces from Judd’s designs, letting collectors bring a piece of functional history into their own homes.

Donald Judd may be known in the art world for his sculpture, but his furniture design can be read as an extension of his fine art – albeit being completely functional. His rectilinear furniture pieces are completely symbiotic with his Minimalist sculpture, and are a breath of the artist’s focused vision. During the summer months, Judd’s fusion of form and function are on display in the first floor of his former home, and also visible to the very different Soho streets outside. Both art and architecture lovers will enjoy Judd’s incredible attention to proportion, clean lines, stark angles, and simple materials (his pieces are largely made from wood, and sometimes metal). Beginning with the furniture exhibition, visitors can imagine a glimpse into the artist’s mind, as well as the very different life of an artist in Soho in the early 1970s.

Judd’s furniture pieces have been available in the past – to the very patient customer. Until now, his iconic chairs, tables and stools were available made-to-order, with pieces sometimes taking four or five months to be completed. In congruence with the exhibition, the Judd Foundation has released select ready-made pieces of their favorite designs available for order.

In addition to Judd’s iconic furniture collection, guided tours include architectural and historical insight. Bonus is an intimate view of Judd’s personal art collection, which includes works by Lee Bontecou, Frank Stella, a massive Dan Flavin neon in the bedroom and more.

The Judd Foundation, 101 Spring Street

Visit by appointment http://juddfoundation.org/visit/new-york/