Ron Arad (b. 1951)

steel, the bookends attached to a bending sheet of metal

The current lot is one of three shown at the 1992 Milan Design Fair. Other examples have been subsequently produced in the current form by Ron Arad Associates and in plastic by Kartell.

Ron Arad talks to Matthew Collings, New York, London, 2004, pp. 137, 145, 147;

Deyan Sudjic, Ron Arad, Singapore, 1999, pp. 103-107.

A striking piece of good overall appearance. Old marks and scratches in places. Measurement is the length when laid flat not in coiled form. When coiled as per the catalogue illustration piece is approx 210cm wide by 200cm. high. Some 'bookend' elements slightly detached at joints but firmly mounted, which has no structural impact on the piece. Due to the tension when mounted this model requires care during positioning. Interiors of 'bookends' with slight traces of red paint which suggests that the workshop experimented with polychrome decoration. Some blemishing and variations to patina consistent with age and material. Some minor oxidisation in places. An impressive piece ready for display.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The Bookworm derives from an idea which triggered off a whole family of shelving units: 'The Mortal Coil', the 'Mini-Bookworm', 'One Way or Another' and the 'Lovely Rita'. Before it was licensed by Kartell to become mass produced in PVC it started as a one-off piece in steel in Arad's London based One Off studio. Like many of his pieces, it did not come about through a private commission but was an evolving idea, far from predicting the future success of its descendant. The current lot is the piece shown at the Milan Design Fair in 1992 and shortly after released in an edition of 20 longer steel versions. Arad says that he wasn't even all that serious about it when he first designed it, but thinks that the success of the later versions lies in the fact that it started life as a studio piece and was generally photogenic. He describes the first attempts to bring it to life as 'very difficult and demanding' (Op.cit., p. 144). Indeed this prototype still is a wild creature. Once fixed into place however it successfully tames the rough latent energy of coiled steel and combines a powerful elegance with wild grace. Sudjic specifically highlights the Bookworm in his monograph on Arad as a symonym for his thought and production process (Sudjic, op. cit., inside cover).