Robert Obier: Art Tectonic

About the Artist

Robert Obier was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he now resides. He holds an Architecture Degree from LSU and a Master of Science Degree in Industrial Design from Art Center College of Design. He is an award winning artist and his work as an architect/designer/illustrator has been featured in numerous exhibitions, magazines and web articles. His high tech designs have appeared on network television and were selected for a location shoot in a major motion picture. 

His range of eclectic influences include the organic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, the explorations of geometry in nature by Andy Goldsworthy and the theatrical creations of Industrial Light and Magic for a time long ago in a galaxy far, far away.

His work explores the intersections and obscures the boundaries between architecture, industrial design and art. Each piece is as much a realization of an abstract design concept as it is a unique work of three-dimensional art. From creation through completion the dichotomy of ‘handmade’ and ‘computer generated’ informs the development and execution of the work.

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Artist's Statement

Design is the art of storytelling. Through stories we give meaning and context to this journey we all share. My cause is to create an art that inspires meaning and speaks of some untold story -some distant time - some mysterious place - some unknown tomorrow. 

This is what I call, “the stuff of dreams”.

A strict and systematic organization of components define the work and reveal a discipline that is unmistakably architectural. At first glance, the geometric forms seem strangely familiar as if seen somewhere before - but where - when? Upon closer examination - perhaps the designs are remnants of some distant and secrete civilization or even an, as of yet, unknown and mysterious future. The forms are intentionally abstract - giving shape to a brief moment of design inspiration. Schematic concepts emerge as built objects without the practical or functional restrictions that necessarily accompany the development of an architectural or industrial product. 

The final sculpted artwork is derived from an initial “thumbnail” sketch. The preliminary shapes are explored and refined through multiple iterations as 3-d computer models. These varied iterations may serve to refine an idea or may be individually produced as a limited series of sculptural works. The work combines the "tried and true" techniques of old-fashioned craftsmanship with today's most advanced rapid prototyping technologies such as CAD modeling, 3-D printing, and CNC fabrication.

Particular finish applications such as weathering and rust recall an ‘earlier time’ in the story of certain pieces - the scars of a past life. Nevertheless, the work has a timeless quality - seeming to exist in the past, the present and the future - simultaneously.