Klein Reid
KleinReid was founded in Brooklyn in 1993 by James Klein and David Reid. A pioneer in the ceramic design and maker movements, the studio is widely credited with bringing an urban design aesthetic to American studio pottery; marrying timeless art pottery methods and time-honored industrial techniques. The workshop is renowned for its innovative design and fine craftsmanship.
James and David's work is found in the collections of museums, private collectors, and presidents W. Bush and Obama. Their pieces have been extensively shown in gallery and museum exhibitions, and retail in design stores and boutiques worldwide. As designers, they’ve created collections for firms including Herman Miller, Room & Board, Dansk and West Elm, and have been profiled in national and international shelter, fashion and design periodicals, and on television.
In 1999 the duo approached one of its heroes, design legend Eva Zeisel (then age 93) with a proposal to collaborate. Their work together over the last twelve years of Ms. Zeisel’s life spawned a collection of over 20 designs, a treasured friendship, and brought her iconic work to a new generation.
How and why did you start?
James: We met in high school and started dating, then attended undergrad together, both studying art and majoring in ceramics. During graduate school (David went to Cranbrook and I went to Alfred) we decided to move to NYC and start a studio.
David: We moved to Brooklyn in 1993, built our studio and started collaborating, creating our first collection. We received a big order from Bergdorf Goodman and were able to quit our day jobs. As to why did we start? Youthful exuberance and ignorance!
Three words that embody your brand essence:
David: I always fail this question. WEMAKE WHAT WELOVE is maybe as close as I can come.
James: PERSONAL. EVOLVING. EMPOWERING.
Tell us a little about your product origins / manufacturing processes, and your favorite part!
James: Our work is first and foremost very personal and we make it for ourselves - things we want to live with. It is culled from current obsessions and a multitude of historic and cultural references, all combined to create something new. Our work is what could only exist now, as a result of sincere love for what has passed.
David: James and I collaborate on all our collections and each have our strengths we bring to new work. We begin by sketching forms and refining designs. Then we make models and samples. We hand-mix our own porcelain and glazes - often creating new glazes with specific properties or colors to pair with a new collection. All work is made from scratch in our Brooklyn studio. My favorite part of the process is creating something from nothing - from a thought to seeing a first new piece come out of the kiln.
Five things inspiring or influencing your design/creative process right now:
James:
Japanese pop art
Hardware store paint-chip displays
Yoko Ono
Designer, Rei Kawakubo
James: The Uncanny Valley
David:
Nature/Geology
Vintage pinball machine graphics
Clothing designer, Craig Green
Bernard Herrmann - soundtracks in general
Rollercoasters
Do you ever feel overwhelmed, underwhelmed, or run-down creatively? How do you balance wellness and get on the ball again?
David: Yes, yes and yes. We’re a small studio so we have to keep lots of plates spinning. Traveling is the number one remedy to get us out of our routines and state/country. In between, we get to the beach as much as possible in the summer, work in the garden and cook.
James: I’ve has been doing ashtanga yoga for 20 years and it keeps me out of my head and in my body.
Design heroes?
J & D: Eva Zeisel and Ettore Sottsass are our two biggies. They were both on our “people to call up and collaborate with” list when we were cooking up our studio plans in 1993. Working with Eva Zeisel for 13 years was an incredible design education.
A song to describe your new collection?
David: Music is a big influence on our work and is always on in the studio. Our newest collection is Mesola which is named after a favorite Italian beach we returned to last summer. It’s a little rocky cove with deep azure water and a sea cave – and it’s usually empty so swimsuits are optional! “Se Telefonando” by Mina (composed by the always inspiring Ennio Morricone) feels appropriate. We listened to her a lot in our rental car that trip.
What’s on the horizon for this year? Any products or colors we should be on the lookout for?
James: Hopefully some downtime for creative research and development. The new work will flow from there.
David: As far as color, we get bored quickly with it - especially as a surface treatment or skin. We continue to be fascinated by geologic color, especially rocks and minerals. Things that were thrust up out of the Earth or eroded by the ocean. We do lots of glaze color tests and our rule of thumb is generally; would we stumble upon this color while hiking?
What’s the most cherished object in your home?
James: A large Zsolnay luster vase Eva Zeisel designed.
David: Aside from personal and family objects, for me it would be a print - a self-portrait by Leonard Tsuguharu Foujita that we found in a thrift shop in Ohio.
