Evolution Of Steel: Josh Hadar's One-Of-A-Kind Custom Eco- Friendly Bikes.

From May 6th-May 27th, Josh Hadar (above), founder and owner of Hadar Metal Design, an eco-friendly design group that creates one-of-a-kind custom bikes and environmental installations, will launch his first showcase at 285 Lafayette St. in New York City.

The L'Ovalle:





Hadar has worked to develop new sculptural art installations that bring evolving environmental technologies to the forefront of the art world and will display a series of bikes and trees, all hand crafted from steel in his neighborhood workshop.

Richard The Lionhearted:




The exhibit will display everything from Josh's crude early work to his more recent custom bikes such as "ER's Teardrop," which features nickel on rolled steel, hand-spun aluminum plate wheels, and a hand-blown, steel-wrapped glass fuel tank with an 80 cc gas powered motor with pedal assist.

ER's Teardrop:




Also featured is "Christy Lynn," built to honor the strength and spirit of his dear friend Christie Lynn Medrano who died of complications from the treatment of breast cancer in November of 2008.

The Christy Lynn:




Josh's shop is fully equipped with solar power and he is exploring new applications of alternative drive systems and power sources for his unique bikes, trees and tricycles. The results of this work has earned an enthusiastic and diverse global audience of fine artists, craftspeople, environmental scientists, engineers, technicians and social activists who bring their knowledge and energy to the development of new projects. Now for the first time, Josh's work will be showcased in one setting, allowing admirers to experience the next wave of eco-conscious design.

Eco-Luxe bikes:






"I am thrilled to be able to showcase my work to new audiences," said Josh Hadar. "Artists have a responsibility to not only create visually pleasing installations but also a social need to be leaders in the environmental movement and I hope that my work will not only excite the art community but also inspire change."

The Solar E-Trike:





"The Evolution of Steel," will debut with a private preview on Thursday, May 5th in the original space that Hadar began his journey into the art world years ago. After a storied career in the nightlife and theater industries, Hadar decided to pursue his true passion and trained himself how craft steel through natural means (around fire hydrants, lamp posts, trash cans and trees) rather than using heat or electric equipment. His early work with reclaimed building materials and broken bicycles from the streets of New York developed into an exploration of the relationship between biological and technological forms. Hadar was drawn to the art of metal sculpting by its structural fluidity and lack of strict aesthetic rules, which encouraged the self-taught artist to learn the particulars of metal design in order to create original installations.

Father Heart, Mother Heart and Little Cub:


In addition to the bikes, Josh will showcase his newest creations, solar powered steel trees that represent the future of eco-conscious design, already displayed across the globe including an installation at the Intercontinental Hotel in Times Square.



DESIGNER JOSH HADAR PRESENTS "THE EVOLUTION OF STEEL"
Featuring New York's First Solar Powered Electric Vehicles and Additional Eco-Conscious Art Installations

Where:
285 Lafayette St. (Bet. Houston and Prince St.)
New York, NY 10012

When:
PRESS PREVIEW: Thursday, May 5th from 7:00 PM-10:00 PM
EXHIBIT: From May 6th-27th
Tuesday to Friday: 1pm-9pm
Saturday: 12pm-9pm
Sunday: 12pm-6pm

For more information and to view more of Josh's work please Hadar Metal Design.

Modern & Ornate Hand-forged Iron Beds From Ciacci Of Italy

If you thought the art of metalworking and hand made wrought irons beds were a thing of the past (and even if you didn't), let me introduce you to Ciacci.



Begun as a crafts workshop in 1965 for the ancient art of metal forging by Piero Ciacci, the Ancona, Italy based company is still thriving today. Ciacci is distinguished mainly by their beautiful beds, available in traditional, ornate and modern models in various sizes and finishes.

Ciacci products are available in various finishes such as black, silver, metallic gold, antique, rust and ivory


Here are a few of their more unique bed designs, most available as double or single beds.

Brigitte:

Garden:

Georgette:

Lotus:

Nuvola:

Papillon:

Querida:

Sogno:

Tea:

Venice:


They also make many traditional wrought iron beds, such as the Kelly, shown below:


as well as matching lamps, end tables and chairs:


For more products and information, visit Ciacci.

Modernist Metal Birdhouses & Birdfeeders By Joe Papendick

Metal sculptor Joseph Papendick creates beautiful outdoor birdhouses and bird feeders. The collections I'm sharing with you here are his modernist and cubist designs. Made of steel and treated with primer and 2 coats of bright and beautiful enamel colors, they are available in the colors shown or any color combinations you'd like.

"Charm" Birdfeeders


These welded steel bird feeders are made entirely by hand and are 12" in diameter The stainless steel screen, which holds the seed, is welded to two stainless steel rods. These rods fit into grooves at the corners of the piece. The rods hold the seed screen in place much like a hammock, and also serve as perches for birds. The entire screen and rod section is removable for cleaning.

"Cheepie" Standing Birdfeeders


These hand crafted, welded steel birdfeeders stand approximately 6' tall. The upright support is welded to an "I-beam" shaped base which has been uniquely designed to allow the piece to stand securely upright when "planted" into the ground approximately 8 -10 inches deep. The 'feeder' portion contains of a stainless steel screen designed to hold bird seed a safe distance off the ground. Shielded to a degree from rain, wind, and sun - the stainless steel screen allows for rapid drainage of any water, and will never rust through. Once 'planted' into the soil, the design allows for the roots of surface vegetation to reach through and firmly anchor the piece into the ground.

"Cubist" Bird Feeders


This first series of "Cubist" bird feeders measure 11" tall X 8" wide. Two stainless steel rods, inserted through holes drilled into the sides of each piece, allow a perforated aluminum screen for bird seed to simply rests on the rods. This feeder screen sits between the boundaries created by two rectangular slats which are inserted through cuts made into both sides of the pieces. An additional stainless steel rod runs perpendicularly through these slats, serving to stabilize the rectangular elements, while also serving as an extended perch for birds. Keeping the various elements separate - without welding - allows for them to be painted separately, now in in the future. These pieces are each treated with spray primer and enamel. Although they are pictured here in only select colors - with white as the sole horizontal color - they can be easily finished in any combination of colors you'd prefer.

"Duo" Hanging Bird Feeders


The "Duo" series of hanging bird feeders measure 14" tall X 18" wide. They are made from hand bent welded steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. Divided down the middle by the roof structure, each of the two separate sides holds a perforated aluminum screen for bird seed. The seed screens simply rest upon the two stainless steel rods which are inserted through the piece. Along with two other rods, of differing lengths, these rods also serve as perches for birds . The Longest is 22" wide. The pieces are designed to hang by twin ropes of galvanized steel wire, approximately 20" long. Each of these support ropes rests under the angle of the two bent roofs, coming together at the top in two loops. The pieces are treated with two coats each of spray primer and enamel. Although they are pictured here in only select colors, they can be easily finished in any color you'd prefer.

"Plus" Bird Feeders


The design of this 'Plus' series of bird feeders features two rectangular elements. The two main sections are not welded together. Instead they nest within each other, and a pair of stainless steel rods, running through the middle of both pieces, holds them perpendicular. Three perforated aluminum screens for bird seed rest on these rods. Since they are cut to fit within the three individual sections, the screens also serve to prevent movement of the horizontal piece from left to right. I particularly enjoy it when everything about a design just seems to work together! These pieces measure 12" high, 14" wide, and 5" deep. They have each been finished with two shades of spray enamel, one slightly darker than the other. Any of the pieces in this series can easily be finished in whatever color combination you'd like to see.

"Home" Hanging Bird Feeders


Inspired by the shape of old wooden birdhouses, these new "Home" series bird feeders measure 6" square and 18" tall. On each of the two levels a perforated aluminum screen, designed to hold bird seed, is supported by two stainless steel rods which are inserted through the piece. These rods also serve as perches for birds. The pieces are designed to hang by a rope of galvanized steel wire, 20" long, which has been looped permanently through the top section. They are treated with spray primer and enamel. As such they can be finished in a variety of colors.

Shop for the above here.