I Too Am is an exhibition presenting Bennet Schlesinger’s debuting at Galerie Timonier. At first glance, a simple bamboo and paper light fixture might seem an unlikely bridge between Italian poetry and American craft traditions. Yet in Bennet Schlesinger’s debut New York exhibition “I Too Am,” this luminous form becomes a meditation on creative sanctuary, sparked by Pier Paolo Pasolini’s contemplation of personal space and translated through the material vocabulary of contemporary design.
The exhibition emerged from a dialogue between Schlesinger and gallerist Stéphane Timonier over their shared appreciation of Pasolini’s poem “I Too Am.” What began as a conversation about private spaces for creativity evolved into a fully realized environment – a reimagined writer’s room that serves as both tribute and innovation. The collection transcends mere furniture-making, instead crafting a cohesive atmosphere that Schlesinger has carefully orchestrated through light, form, and material selection.
The cornerstone of the exhibition is Schlesinger’s innovative use of exotic woods – afromosia, poplar, and padauk – in pieces like the wheeled bookcase and writer’s desk. These choices reflect a deep understanding of each wood’s unique properties: afromosia’s dense grain providing structural integrity, while padauk offers rich visual depth. The execution shows clear influence from the Arts and Crafts movement, particularly Roycroft furniture’s emphasis on honest materials and visible joinery, yet Schlesinger pushes beyond historical reference through his contemporary approach to finish and detail.
His signature bamboo and paper lighting pieces take on new resonance in this context. Rather than floating as isolated sculptures, they become integral elements in his conceived sanctuary, their diffused glow creating intimate pools of illumination that echo Pasolini’s poetic notion of personal refuge. The intricate tile inlays throughout the furniture pieces create subtle geometric dialogues with the lights’ organic forms, demonstrating Schlesinger’s sophisticated grasp of spatial composition.
The exhibition’s masterstroke lies in how seamlessly it integrates functional design with conceptual depth. A daybed isn’t merely a place to recline – its upholstered form invites the kind of contemplative repose that nurtures creative thought. The multi-functional bookcase on wheels speaks to the fluid nature of creative spaces, where inspiration requires both organization and adaptability.
What elevates this collection beyond mere furnishing is its successful translation of poetic concept into material reality. Schlesinger has created more than an homage to Pasolini’s vision of personal sanctuary; he has realized a contemporary interpretation of creative space that speaks to our current moment’s need for thoughtful refuge. The exhibition suggests that in an age of digital distraction, the physical environment we create for reflection and creativity becomes more crucial than ever.
