Primarily known for his extensive studio practice in drawing, his sculpture is seen as an extension of his fascination with line or skeletal infrastructure. Characterized as Fictional Engineering, Talasnik builds without plan or measurement relying on intuition and improvisation. No preliminary drawings are executed for his small- scale works and everything is built by hand.  They are “mathless” structures that rely on the rhythm of variable repetition.

For the past ten years his outdoor ephemeral sculptures have utilized wood, reed, and bamboo. He was initially attracted to these materials during time living and working throughout the Far East during the late 80’s. It was in China, The Philippines, Thailand, and Japan where he cultivated an appreciation for intuitive engineering and building for practical applications like bridges, towers, boats, and houses.

The installation of Echo corresponds with the publication of his most recent monograph, “Unearthed”.  Published by Monacelli Press this 220-page compendium examines his works in drawing, sculpture, and installations since 2009.

Originally from Philadelphia, Stephen Talasnik’s drawings are featured in public collections like the Pompidou in Paris; the Albertina in Vienna; the British Museum, London; the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

Pictured:  "Floating World" 2015, Denver Botanic Garden, bamboo poles; 30 floating sculptures.

This installation is made possible in part with the generous support of Katja Goldman and Michael W. Sonnenfeldt, Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, of New York and Suffolk County.