Exhibition Details

Objective Gallery is pleased to introduce ‘Soft Witness,’ a practical and poetic line of furniture and lighting from New York and Florence-based interior designer Whitney Krieger on October 5, 2023. The label explores how personal objects become fused with memories, shedding light on a uniquely human phenomenon - the personification of the objects that inhabit our lived spaces; endowing the inanimate with the capacity to observe and be observed. Produced in a bespoke fashion by Italian artisans Krieger lived alongside, each piece in this debut series was designed in the spirit of reflection and un-rosy nostalgia. At large, the line is an experiment in what it looks like when external spaces start to mimic our emotional ideologies. “It’s as if the memories the objects around us capture are embedded in them, and with continued use, we can keep them alive," Krieger explains.
‘Soft Witness’ invites viewers to venture inward, prompting contemplation of their narratives and the profound role played by the objects that silently bear witness to their lives. It is a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship and design to evoke emotions and reflection. With a background in interior design, she is no stranger to shaping physical beauty in environments. However, she equally values the intangible beauty of objects, the meaning derived over time from assigned memories. "The pieces we live with are soft witnesses to our lives. It is as if the memories these objects carry are embedded in them still, and with continued use, we keep them alive," Krieger explains. “I’m interested in how beauty in our surroundings can affect us for the better – the feelings it can call forth, the mood it can set, the backdrop it can enhance in our lives and our memories” he adds.
Among the collection's highlights is the Patty Light, crafted in various hues of Murano hand-blown glass and adorned with solid Florentine brass beading, which takes the spotlight as a radiant testament to the collection's quiet elegance. Following this, the Liberamente series, meaning 'free mind', serves as the centrepiece of the collection. Its design symbolises breaking free from the constraints of our environmental conditioning while maintaining a core connection to it. Its internal structure takes the form of a cage, while the cushioning bursts forth independently. Additionally, the collection features Soul wall sculptures that are artfully hand-blown and shaped in Murano in a range of bold and muted shades, adding a touch of abstract brilliance to the overall ensemble. Each Soul is distinct, emblematic of the idiosyncrasy of an individual. “Those who work to realise an idea without compromise, in quality or concept, is at the very root of Objective Gallery. 'Soft Witness’ debut collection is a rarity in its careful attention to material and manufacturing quality. We are pleased to be a part of its introduction,” says Chris Shao, founder of Objective Gallery.