Yaniv Malz, Heart (ART & OBJECTS 2025)

Photos:

Daniel Hanoch

Video tour

https://vimeo.com/1024808969?share=copy

Country

Israel

This work is an ode to the untamed vigor of life that pulses and prevails, however fragile it may be. Organisms universally utilize tubular tissues to conduct fluids, capture prey or serve as sensory organs. Initially inspired by the sea anemone, the tentacle-like forms also resemble arteries, tusks or horns. The emanating light symbolizes the intrinsic energy that flows within. The months-long construction process was painstaking, involving extensive experimentation and developing numerous forms and fixtures. The nine tubes are conical, hollow throughout and bent to three distinct curves along their longitudinal axes. At the tip, the wall thickness measures a mere 5 mm, pushing the boundaries of the material. These are steam bent laminations, composed of plies that taper in thickness. After bending, the plies were first glued up to form two halves of each component. A specially devised jig enabled a router to follow the curvature of each half and cut a precise groove along its inside face. The halves were then re-joined, forming seamless hollow components. Each tube was meticulously shaped into a round cross section and faceted with spokeshaves. The facets converge along the gluelines, creating crisp arrises that conceal the seams. The maple tubes, bleached and waxed, possess smooth and lustrous qualities akin to ivory. The base, a hollow box, features a carefully selected mosaic of white oak end grain blocks on its upper surface. This material, with its inherent piths, cracks, and rays, echoes the sculpture's thematic exploration of organic structures. The sides, faced with bookmatched, shop-sawn thick veneers of quarter-sawn white oak, further emphasize the vascular patterns through the striking display of medullary rays. Fiber optic cables, conduits of light, thread through the wooden tubes, connecting to a light source within the base. Dimensions: approx. 120 x 30 x 30 cm

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.