Daniel Wiener's 'Making is Thinking' Exhibition at Lesley Heller Workspace

Daniel Wiener's exhibition 'Making is Thinking' ran from March 2 to April 3, 2011 at Lesley Heller Workspace in New York City. The show featured sculptures made from pigmented, self-hardening epoxy that Wiener manipulated to achieve diverse textures—from the sheen of plastic to the matte finish of old bowling balls. Works like 'Flame Meander' (2010) and 'Sagging into the Space Between Slats' (2011) displayed vivid colors and intricate patterns, with some pieces leaning toward goth or sci-fi furniture aesthetics. Wiener's process involved laminating contrasting color strata, then deforming or slicing the material to reveal complex banded patterns in cross-section. This technique created a cloisonné-like effect, reminiscent of fractals or ornamental overload. The title piece, 'Making is Thinking,' featured text inlaid in greenish matter, serving as a credo for the show. Other notable works included 'Harlequin Poison' (2011), with its twisting forms and Art Nouveau influences, and 'Ruckus' (2008), an orange clam form with teal streaks. 'Maiden Queen and the Angel Mild' (2008) combined a whitish ball with black vines, exploring contrasts of light and dark, smooth and gnarly. Wiener's approach was improvisational yet methodical, embracing accidents and restlessness in form. The exhibition highlighted his ethos of 'industrious neurosis,' where objects never remain at rest, blending ugliness and beauty in a dynamic sculptural language.