Caesarstone Sponsors NYCxDESIGN’s “Ode to NYC” Poster Campaign

CAESARSTONE SPONSORS NYCxDESIGN’S “AN ODE TO NYC” POSTER CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE SPREADS MESSAGE OF LOVE & SUPPORT FOR NY BUSINESSES

Original Artwork by NY Designers on Display City-Wide 

Sales Benefit the BADG (Black Artists + Designers Guild) 

October 7, 2020 – New York City, NY) Caesarstone is pleased to be a sponsor of An Ode to NYC, a poster campaign organized by NYCxDESIGN, which officially kicks off today and will run throughout the month of October. Paying homage to the spirit of Milton Glaser’s “I LOVE NY” symbol, the initiative is a heartwarming, graphic tribute to New York City. Twenty-one talented local creatives have produced a series of moving artworks that embody their love and unwavering affection for NYC. As a design showroom sponsor, Caesarstone showrooms will be a prime destination to view three of the posters within the historic collection. The artworks will also be displayed in dozens of restaurants and retail stores across the city, as well as digitally projected in quintessential NYC spots like Fulton Center, the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, and on-board the NYC Ferry fleet. For those wanting to own one of the iconic works and support a great cause, the posters are available for sale on Poster House’s website, with proceeds going to the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG), a non-profit aimed at creating an inclusive arts and design environment through equity and inclusivity. A map indicating the poster locations citywide is available at www.NYCxDESIGN.com.

Valerie Hoffman, Program Director, NYCxDESIGN, remarks, “We are so thrilled to bring together the New York Community and support area businesses through this heartfelt and creative campaign. The local designers we tapped have created poignant, inspiring posters that illustrate the resiliency, strength and rebirth of our beloved city. We can’t wait to see them come to life in showrooms, retail stores and institutions city-wide.” Elizabeth Margles, Vice President of Marketing for Caesarstone, North America, noted “We have a long history of promoting and supporting American design talent. That we are able to continue to do so in these trying times for artists and designers alike is not only our responsibility but a real imperative to keep the creative industries thriving.”

“As a collective of independent Black artists, makers, and designers striving towards creating an inclusive arts and design environment through equity and representation, we are gratified and excited to be a part of this wonderful initiative, put forth by the efforts of so many talented New York-based creatives.” – Malene Barnett, Founder of BADG.

A short selection of statements from the artists about their creations can be found below. The full list of artist statements can be found here.

“Our apple: A sexy, loud and stimulating monster that is constantly challenging us to build our patience and resilience muscles. A proud matriarch that accepts us and takes care of everyone. A juicy fruit that carries the seeds of our desires, waiting for us to make our part of the work in order to manifest it. All enclosed in one big bold red statement, as bold as NYC.” – Rodolfo Agrella on behalf of WantedDesign Manhattan of “Our apple.”

“The city and its wealth, both financially and culturally, is dependent on its diversity to be one of the hearths of our planet.  From the multitude, I wanted to focus on one specific people (mine) and the very nature of the black heart.  Despite the current rabid assault on the black people of this nation, NYC remains a place where black-culture and its peoples of the diaspora are represented, honored and held in the highest esteem.” – Leyden Lewis Design Studio of “The Black Heart Thrives.”

“NYC needs our love right now.  When designing interiors, I always say the energy you put into a space is reflected in kind. The more attention we give NYC, the faster it will shine again. My Ode to NYC, in collaboration with artist and friend Veronique Gambier, combines our mutual interest in color and collage into a patchwork of layers to cherish the place we have called home for so many years.” – Sara Bengur with Veronique Gambier of “Home is Where the Heart is.”

“New York City is the creative capital of the world. A spirit of innovation and invention built the city, permeated all aspects of life in the city, and will carry it through this difficult time. As a longtime New Yorker, I am fascinated by the plants that sprout up through the cracks, against all odds. Their will to live is inspirational and I thought a sprout might serve as a hopeful image of rebirth and reinvention. I look forward to the future of New York City. My Ode to NYC humbly tips a hat to Milton Glaser and his uncomplicated ‘I Love NY’ logo. One must admire the format: type + icon = message. Although a little green sprout is not nearly as iconic as the heart Mr. Glaser employed, I hope its message is as clear.” – Harry Allen on behalf of Design Pavilion of his untitled poster.

The collectible assortment of posters was designed by Alison Rose, Jack Travis, Kati Curtis, Kelly Marshall, Leyden Lewis Design Studio, Lori Weitzner, Marie Burgos, Sara Bengur with Veronique Gambier, Suzanne Tick, and the team at 2×4, with many of the creatives partnering with local organizations to support the mission, including Dr. Carol Bentel on behalf of ICFF, Harry Allen and Giona Maiarelli on behalf of Design Pavilion, Jon Santos on behalf of Independent Lodging Congress, Lora Appleton on behalf of Female Design Council, Manuel Miranda on behalf of AIANY/Center for Architecture, Rodolfo Agrella on behalf of WantedDesign, and Vincent Lin on behalf of IDSA NYC Chapter. Posters were also designed by The Shade Store, Timothy Corrigan for Perennials Fabrics, and Milton De Paul for Samuel & Sons.

The program is supported by dozens of showrooms across the city. Posters are showcased at Verellen Atelier, Hamilton Sinkler, Circa Lighting, Room & Board, New York Design Center, Samuel & Sons, Brown Jordan, Sherle Wagner, Gaggenau Design Studio at A&D, Cancos, Forty-One Madison, Bard, Waterstone Co, Artemide, and Marvin at Window-Fix. The works are also on view at The Shade Store Midtown East, Flatiron, and SoHo; Caesarstone at Studium, Cesar NYC Kitchens, Manhattan Center for Kitchen and Bath, Bilotta, NY LOFT, Urban Homes, and AF New York; David Sutherland Showroom at NYDC and D&D; Artistic Tile Flagship and at A&D; and Waterworks Midtown East and Flatiron. Each participating showroom will exhibit three from the collection.

Additional poster locations, which were determined based on an open call, also include the following retail stores, restaurants, cultural institutions and hotels: Dyphor New York, Lockwood, Michele Varian, Society Limonta, The Primary Essentials, Awesome Brooklyn, String Thing Studio, the Lit. Bar, Only Hearts, Magpie, peace & RIOT, Maison 10, Plia, KTCollection, Museum of Ice Cream, Mud Australia, Alice Austen House Museum, Staten Island Children’s Museum, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, Staten Island Arts, Historic Richmond Town, Conference House Park, Adoro Lei, The Commons Chelsea, Bistro Punta Sal, Time Out Market NY, Ludlow Coffee Supply, The William Vale, Arlo SoHo, and The InterContinental New York Barclay.

About Caesarstone
Caesarstone is a leading manufacturer of premium quality quartz surfaces. Established in 1987, the company pioneered high-quality surfaces utilizing advanced technologies and expertise. Caesarstone continues to lead the industry with new trends and colors of high-quality surface consisting of up to 93% quartz, they retain the cool tactile qualities of nature’s strong stones with enormous application possibilities including kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, wall paneling, furniture, and more. Caesarstone offers a product that is highly functional, design-forward and beautiful. The unique and rich variety of colors, patterns and textures enable customers to find their ‘ultimate surface’ and create their own unique space. Caesarstone’s extensive designs are constantly evolving and developing to meet the latest global trends and the highest level of international quality standards. More information on Caesarstone: caesarstoneus.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram

Press Contact: 
Karen Peterson, [email protected], +1.917.553.7638
Joanne Gibbs, [email protected], +1.917.797.4698