Behind the Fold: Dan Droz

"Behind the Fold" documents the background, recent work and unique methods of sculptor, Dan Droz, who, at the age of 69, after a career as a designer and professor at Carnegie Mellon University, became a full-time sculptor. Despite his late start and exhibition constraints related to Covid, Droz has, in a few years, created a national reputation for a new formal language and innovative fabrication methods, documented in this book.

Droz's work spans a variety of materials and forms, though connected by an underlying philosophy - exposing the limits of our perception. His work often suggests the question, "How'd you do that?" as many of his thematic threads were influenced by his teenage experience as a professional magician, where he was keenly aware of the two simultaneous realities... what viewers see and what is being intentionally concealed. Droz sees this as metaphor for sculpture where the process of creating a sculpture is often disassociated from the thematic or formal elements

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For example, Droz has invented a new method of glass forming that allows glass to be folded and formed while in a kiln, without human intervention. He's also developed methods for forming large metal sheets into complex forms using a method of 'scoring' metal so it can be folded much like paper. Similarly, his methods of creating structural integrity to crocheted wire mesh and his complex cast glass and bronze sculptures, made from 3D printed originals, allows him to create forms that would otherwise be difficult with traditional fabrication and casting techniques.

"Behind The Fold" provides a window into Droz's magical world of form, inventive fabrication methods and philosophies and showcases new perspectives on sculpture for other artists, collectors, curators, gallerists and art historians. Further, the body of work and thematic references exposes the limits of our understanding while expanding the possibilities for contemporary sculpture.