Mid-century modern design is defined by clean lines, organic forms, and an innovative approach to materials. Rooted in the post-war optimism of the 1950s and ’60s, this aesthetic thrives on the interplay between natural and industrial elements. My piece—a stone suspended in a web of delicate threads encased in translucent epoxy—embodies stylized lines and organic movement, capturing the balance between structure and fluidity.
Mid-century modern sculpture often celebrates lightness and the illusion of weightlessness. Artists like Harry Bertoia pushed the boundaries of traditional materials, creating pieces that dynamically interact with light and space. Alexander Calder introduced balance and movement through his mobiles, which continue to delight and inspire today. In a similar spirit, this sculpture transforms ordinary, discarded threads into an ethereal structure that frames the central stone, making it appear to hover within its transparent casing. The interplay of organic texture and delicate suspension recalls the fusion of nature and technological advancement central to mid-century modernism.
The use of upcycled materials is integral to this piece. The threads, tangled together in their original state, exude warmth—earthy reds, deep ochres, and sunlit oranges that evoke nostalgia and comfort. By embedding them in epoxy, their chaotic form is preserved and elevated, holding dancing shapes that pull the eye with their simple yet intricate movement. The rock, raw and unprocessed, brings balance, grounding the piece in organic reality while serving as a focal point.
By repurposing discarded materials, this sculpture aligns with contemporary sustainability practices while maintaining a mid-century aesthetic. It honors the past while innovating within the present, transforming remnants of the everyday into a suspended moment of stillness and harmony. The transparency of the resin allows light to penetrate and interact with the suspended threads, casting shifting shadows and reflections that change with the environment—much like the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of mid-century design itself.
*writing aided by ChatGPT
Featured image:
https://stitchedmodern.com/blogs/news/what-are-orts
Article Images:
1.https://www.chairish.com/product/18614372/1970s-pop-art-lucite-table-sculpture-with-submerged-perrier-bottle
2.https://www.ebay.com/itm/356531793708?_skw=mid+century+sculpture&itmmeta=01JK70QEVMJV89GC653AN6D51P&hash=item5302f36f2c:g:kb4AAOSwvZNnoSyS&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8CodCO1vSDjg2xNOt8By6oBc9OVkQM%2BMjwcVPT8%2FcUPVfaYUbq4Zguc95HmotWbX7UrTySv3aYn4sdW9AeyODdTv89FZyRL8lqnTOLjeh2epbcXxirbNSI6rjo%2FiwmR2SHZHSdrEKfd%2FX%2BGTIxRWzewhIYI6jgkGrsKSJ2voovkazzUpv2IUrLN6dr34DEsreZXeMWB%2Bune%2FqxZzh%2F7GycH%2BalZwH%2BFiX3SNJi1YufFxBSPpZxfq%2FOB6O9eSFpDF66AZ38%2BJhUk6Oi5EPCosUukBQlbDrhWxkWKZQKY4kGBF%2FGXqjZ8nSsf4mk9Fvvv4YA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM8u3d4Jll
3.https://www.ebay.com/itm/315967466459?_skw=mid+century+sculpture&itmmeta=01JK70QEVMFCF5JDJ0Z59T2469&hash=item499120ebdb:g:mnUAAOSwO4VnL~sd&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8CodCO1vSDjg2xNOt8By6oDwf7JowfeqaJ%2Fcw6L3yyrTEZJolApWTUwnA4CV3ra2DnC6WT05iPiw74nZ1bbRE02QFYH90VmNc5nQgfGbFvU1SQcEog7z5mCfCbimI8XarY5VjxztpHjJLcg0BlU81VP9LUTBf5X3x9UvjlbBq25l3USzi19k9uTuoNsQtgiwKL9uHtQtK25RrdFaMCFUrvslWV8%2F7EcsymXMa02TrkUP92uUleLzlBU%2F8DaD1zfXPPrkPzy9%2BzUxW5HJ8DXtPqRX5O%2B4VMzduaIiMtX9QPCOF4%2B5n3UlNMlX%2B2M0uTlk3A%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR_Tt3eCZZQ
4.https://www.chairish.com/product/14453313/vintage-modernist-terracotta-biomorphic-sculpture-in-wood-block-base
5. https://www.chairish.com/product/1805634/1997-original-kim-mosley-pink-marble-womens-body-sculpture
6.https://www.chairish.com/product/23406405/modernist-silvered-bronze-super-egg-sculpture-on-ebonized-wood-base-by-skjode-skjern-1985-denmark
4 Comments. Leave new
Hi Jax, this project is a really cool take on mid-century modern design! I love your plan to blend organic textures with a sleek, weightless look—suspending the stone in threads inside the epoxy is a creative way to capture both movement and balance. The contrast between the natural rock and the transparent resin feels very in line with the era’s mix of nature and tech. Plus, the way light will interact with the piece sounds like it’ll make it even more dynamic. I’m interested to see how you will make this design and the fabrication process for ‘suspending’ a rock in air.
Thank you! I have mild concerns on how to distribute the threads and keep them naturally dancing but its going to be a wild outcome no mater what.
This is great! I enjoyed learning about artists like Harry Bertoia and Alexander Calder. I am excited that you are creating a sculpture, and I look forward to seeing it! Have you always been interested by sculpture as an artform?
I actually started as photographer (mostly for family vacations). Once I found sculpture and the right teacher though it was over from there.