"Made You Look," a wonderful profile in Harvard Magazine this month, has great explanations of my themes and techniques. Thanks to associate editor, Nancy Walecki for trekking to Palm Desert, CA to see the delivery of a truckload of sculptures to Melissa Morgan Fine Art gallery and thoughtfully connecting so many dots.
"Behind the Fold" Book Launch at the Carnegie Museum of Art
The book launch for “Behind The Fold” at the Carnegie Art Museum was a great success! I gave a presentation about the book, my work, and even threw a magic trick in there. I spoke with Betsy Benson from the Pittsburgh Magazine, who was the media sponsor for the event.
Thanks to Griffith Moon for all you efforts with making the book come to life, and to James Gallery for co-sponsoring the event.
Live at Carnegie Museum of Art on December 8, 2022
I'm pleased to announce the launch of my new book, "Behind The Fold," (published by Griffith Moon Publishing) with a presentation and book signing at Carnegie Museum of Art on Thursday, December 8, 6:30 PM. A discussion on themes and techniques will be moderated by Betsy Benson, publisher of Pittsburgh Magazine, the media sponsor for the event. Hope to see you there! Best, Dan
As an added bonus, guests who purchase books will receive a signed limited edition artwork. In addition, a selection of small sculptures will be available for sale in the museum's gift store.
Presented by: Carnegie Museum of Art, December 8, 6:30 PM
Media Sponsor: Pittsburgh Magazine
Co-Sponsor: James Gallery
Dan Droz's book, "Behind the Fold" now available.
Dan Droz is pleased to announce the release of his monograph, “Behind the Fold”. The book documents the background, recent work and unique methods of sculptor, Dan Droz, who, at the age of 69, after a career as a designer and professor at Carnegie Mellon University, became a full-time sculptor. Despite his late start and exhibition constraints related to Covid, Droz has, in a few years, created a national reputation for a new formal language and innovative fabrication methods, documented in this book.
Droz's work spans a variety of materials and forms, though connected by an underlying philosophy - exposing the limits of our perception. His work often suggests the question, "How'd you do that?" as many of his thematic threads were influenced by his teenage experience as a professional magician, where he was keenly aware of the two simultaneous realities... what viewers see and what is being intentionally concealed. Droz sees this as metaphor for sculpture where the process of creating a sculpture is often disassociated from the thematic or formal elements.
For example, Droz has invented a new method of glass forming that allows glass to be folded and formed while in a kiln, without human intervention. He's also developed methods for forming large metal sheets into complex forms using a method of 'scoring' metal so it can be folded much like paper. Similarly, his methods of creating structural integrity to crocheted wire mesh and his complex cast glass and bronze sculptures, made from 3D printed originals, allows him to create forms that would otherwise be difficult with traditional fabrication and casting techniques.
"Behind The Fold" provides a window into Droz's magical world of form, inventive fabrication methods and philosophies and showcases new perspectives on sculpture for other artists, collectors, curators, gallerists and art historians. Further, the body of work and thematic references exposes the limits of our understanding while expanding the possibilities for contemporary sculpture.
Press:
Pittsburgh sculptor who decided to get serious about his craft at age 69 is now subject of an art book
by Paul Guggenheimer
Point Breeze resident Dan Droz has always been interested in sculpture.
But he said he was more of a “closet sculptor,” toiling away in his basement while he ran his own design firm doing design-related marketing and working as an adjunct professor at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Design. After all, he needed to make a living.
Then, on the day three years ago that he turned 69, an age when a lot of people are retired or considering it, he “decided to make a change.”
Droz closed his business and decided to pursue sculpting full time.
"Pisa Sunset" in Luxe Magazine
The July issue of Luxe Magazine features a beautiful East Hampton home with "Pisa Sunset" accenting the patio, placed by Jeff Jarzynka of Zynka Gallery.
May 2022 Press
I am very honored at all the press for I’ve gotten for the unveiling of “The Gathering”. Here are some clippings:
From Pittsburgh Magazine:
And from the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle:
"The Gathering" at the Vision on 15th Development
I am pleased to announce that I have recently been commissioned to create a 12-foot sculpture for the Vision on 15th Development in Pittsburgh, PA. This placement is the first of hopefully many to come, and I hope it will truly become a public spot in Pittsburgh for the people. I am fortunate to be able to thank so many collaborators who helped envision and realize “The Gathering,…” a sculpture that as the name suggests, might become more than a statue, but a “place. “
A place to gather.
A place to ponder.
A place to begin a journey along the Heritage Trail.
My hope is that people will gather here to enjoy lunch or a coffee together, engage in conversation, meet a new friend, and perhaps take a moment to pause, breathe and appreciate the spaces and experiences that you’ve all helped envision and create.
Much thanks to Burns and Scalo and to James Gallery for making it happen.
Watch a video describing what I hope “The Gathering” will be in Pittsburgh:
Droz Shows in 8 Venues
It's been a busy month...preparing for and installing new work for 4 public commissions and 4 new gallery openings in Pittsburgh and California.
How I Created My Art Career at 69: Finding Meaning in an Over-50 Career Change
71-year-old Dan Droz began his new art career at the age of 69. This spring, his large-scale work titled “The Gathering,” a 12-foot-tall sculpture, will be unveiled in Pittsburgh. The work is intended to create a new gathering spot, while showcasing the power of sculpture to elevate a public space. His is a journey of taking a parallel path to his previous one, rather than a complete reinvention. His work has been included in numerous solo and juried exhibitions including the Westmoreland Museum of Art, the Pittsburgh International Airport, the Harrisburg Art Center and commissions for both commercial and private collections. Droz has been the recipient of many awards including the Mary Phillips Award for Sculpture from Seton Hill University, ID Magazine’s “Designer of Year” and “Best of America” by Abitare (Italy).
When did you begin your art career?
I’d been a “closet” sculptor for several years, making small pieces in my basement, but I had never exhibited or sold anything. In the spring of 2018, an artist friend of mine suggested that I show some of my work to a Pittsburgh gallery that represented her, to see if they’d be interested in displaying a few pieces.
Droz Sculpture on SHOWTIME's "American Rust"
Producers of SHOWTIME's "American Rust" series selected a few Droz sculptures for the New York apartment scenes. Pictured here: "So Blue" in Episode 5. Thanks to SHOWTIME and Stacy Weiss of Pittsburgh's Weisshouse for great matchmaking.
Catalogue for "Defying Dimensions" available on Amazon
“Defying Dimensions” documents the freestanding, suspended and wall sculpture created by Dan Droz for a solo exhibition at the James Gallery in 2021 including full color photographs of works, critical essays, commentary and interview with the artist. It showcases new work integrating novel forming and fabrication methods using crocheted wire mesh, cast glass, epoxy resin and folded aluminum to create complex forms.
The exhibition runs October 7 - November 19, 2021
James Gallery
413 South Main Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
Feature in "Print"
“He spent much of the lockdown in his studio building new works, experimenting with new materials, and problem-solving design ideas. He was a sculptor at play.”
A wonderful write-up of Dan Droz’s work since the start of the pandemic, culminating in his solo exhibition at James Gallery.
"Past and Present" at Oxon Hill Manor - through 2023
A Capital Installation. After considerable planning, it was exciting to see "In the Park" and "Sky, Wind and Clouds" gracing the beautiful grounds of Oxon Hill Manor, part of the Prince George County Park System. These two sculptures will be on display through September 2021 in this outdoor exhibition curated by Sarah Tanguy and is presented by the Washington Sculptors Group and Oxon Hill Manor.
"Family Portrait" on view at the Pittsburgh International Airport
I am thrilled to have my freestanding sculpture “Family Portrait” on display at the Pittsburgh International Airport. My artwork is placed beautifully at the top of the escalators in the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh’s Annual Exhibition, juried by Kilolo Luckett.
Profile on Dan Droz in Shady Ave
The 25th Anniversary issue of Shady Ave Magazine profiles Dan Droz in Theresa Sullivan’s article “Transforming Reality.”
The feature gives a spectacular overview of Droz’s life’s work, previews some work for his upcoming solo show at James Gallery, and captured this sentiment that he frequently shares when it comes to his work:
“I like the idea that there’s more than one way to view or experience a work of art or life. We are all in flux, we are all changing. So whether you’re making art or raising a family, you’re just trying to figure out how to transform yourself into something new or different without compromising your core.”
Upcoming Solo Exhibition at James Gallery: Defying Dimensions
Defying Dimensions: Sculpture by Dan Droz
October 7 - November 19, 2021
James Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA
Opening Reception: October 7, 2021, 5-7:30pm
"My work employs novel methods of folding and forming materials including metal, glass and wire mesh and often incorporates hidden reflective surfaces and the use of perspective that defies easy comprehension. The forms seem simple: An open box. A tabletop. But their apparent simplicity belies an underlying attempt to expose the fallacy of understanding what is real. In sculpture, this is immediately apparent in the sense that we are only seeing one view at a time, the experience changing as we view a work from different positions. But there are also the reflections, shadows, negative space, and in the case of layered planes, the interior spaces that are easy to miss and require time for them to reveal their secrets. Beyond the literal gaps in perception, there are metaphoric issues at play. The fact that our perceptions of reality are limited and arguably missing much of the good stuff, underscores a central challenge in my work – changing the way we experience reality without completely abandoning it."