Joseph Algieri is a ceramicist, lighting and home designer based in New York. His practice has spanned several different types of media, notably expandable foams and clay. Joseph’s work relies heavily on deconstructing and dissolving form, repetition, and expanding upon materials to their limit in a comedic fashion.
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD BE SURPRISED TO FIND IN YOUR SPACE?
The way that my space sits in my studio acts very much like a surprise to a quest; its unexpected. You walk down the hallway of homogenous spaces and then automatically know you’ve arrived at my space. There is a philodendron next to a band saw, a mirror I made last year, next to a shitty graphite drawing I made 8 years ago. It’s a motley mix, and its all at once, in 120sq ft. That’s the surprise.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL WORKSPACE IN THREE WORDS…*
Spacious. Equipped. Exciting.
WHAT THEMES DO YOU PURSUE IN YOUR WORK?
I like repetition. I like doing the same stupid thing 300 times. I reminds me a lot when I was younger and working for other designers and would do the same task over and over again. It’s a bit masochistic but I gear it towards having a comedic effect. I love food, too! Can’t you tell? Whether literal or abstract, that reference is evident in most of the work.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM PROJECT?
I would design sets, any set really. TV, movie, what have you. I feel like I work better when everything is larger.
FAVOURITE SONG/BAND PODCAST WHILE WORKING?
It might sound ridiculous, but I love listening to WQXR via my computer. All classical all day. I’m big into radio, so if it isn’t classical I love WNYC, WFMU, and if I’m in a really saucy mood and feel like a middle aged accountant, I’ll put on CBS FM.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN AND FROM WHOM?
‘Don’t take any shit; don’t let someone tell you what you’re worth.’ – Dad
Where They’ is a visual documentation of the creative environments of artist & people, that meet during my travels, of homes and studios.
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