The Urban Sculpture Series celebrates New York City and the objects that inhabit it. Sampietro creates contemporary dioramas which provide commentary on the cultural melting pot of city life, as well as esthetically elegant designs, often with a touch of the absurd. A police barrier becomes the base of a glass dining table, an “Off Duty” taxicab sign evolves into a FM Radio Lamp, a newspaper dispenser becomes an aquarium, an L vending machine reflects back on its own sexuality; just a few of the unique items that remain a part of his collection today.
His work explores the universal theme that even the largest cities are small villages at heart. Since his debut show of May 2010, his work has received acclaim from The Washington Post, El Pais, Corriere Della Sera, Financial Times, Interior Design, Elle Decoration, and been mentioned in more than one hundred blogs from over twenty countries.
Winner of two Arts International Awards, the Celeste Prize and A Design Award.
NYC “Paul Smith“ Police Barrier Table, 2011
Glass tabletop combined with a wooden
handmade New York City Police Barrier
L 81” W 43“ H 39“
Patent Pending
NYC “Pink” Barricade, 2011
A symbol to commemorate the history of Gay Pride, 2011
Wooden handmade New York City Police Barricade
L 81” W 43“ H 39“
Space Cooler, 2011
The modern appliance as art…
Custom made ambient lamp and wine cooler
W 18” H 46” Depth 21“
Stores 12 bottles with digital temperature control
Patent Pending
Underworld Orangequarium, 2010
A representation of the beauty of the Chelsea Community
Custom-made aquarium tank that doubles as an ambient lamp
W 21” H 43” Depth 18”
The Garden of Heaven, 2010
An urban locavore concept
Custom-made ambient lamp and fully functional irrigation greenhouse
W 16” H 40” Depth 14”
Dishwasher, 2010
The modern appliance as art…
Fully functional dishwasher with integrated dish rack
L 22” W 20” H 51”
Beauty, 2009
A tribute to the ladies bathroom
W 16” H 48” Depth 18”
Especialito, 2009
An expression of Latino culture in New York City nightlife
W 19” H 41” Depth 17”
Sexy Sexy, 2009
An exploration of the contrast between the male and female sexual subcultures
W 17” H 45” Depth 15“
Acquarium, 2009
It can be lonely in the City…
Custom made aquarium tank that doubles as an ambient lamp
W 21” H 43” Depth 18”
Cloche Chair, 2009
From construction to comfort
Street plastic barrel, vinyl cushion chair with a plug-in illuminated base
Diameter 23” H 44”
Patent
Caution Table, 2009
Glass tabletop combined with a wooden handmade New York emergency work barrier
L 57” W 32“ H 28“
Especialito Disco Fever, 2009
An expression of Latino culture in NYC nightlife
W 16” H 48” Depth 18”
Mad Room, 2009
Moving to New York is a compromise…
An interpretation of Manhattan apartment living
W 18” H 43” Depth 16”
Taxi Lamp 1980, 2009
Original NYC Taxi Sign from the 80’s turned into a lamp
L 22” W 7” H 6”
Taxi Lamp 1960, 2009
Original NYC Taxi Sign from the 60’s turned into a lamp
L 22” W 7” H 6”
Taxi Lamp 1970, 2009
Original NYC Taxi Sign from the 70’s turned into a lamp
L 22” W 7” H 6”
Taxi Lamp Radio 1970, 2009
A tribute to the old times when radios were used to call taxis
Complete “On Radio Call” taxi sign made into a lamp featuring a FM radio
L 22” W 7” H 9”
Globe TV, 2005
An eye in the sky…
Custom made television, bulb plexiglas suspended by metal piping
Diameter 20“
Police Barrier Table, 2004
From divisiveness to dinner
Glass tabletop combined with a wooden handmade New York City Police barricade
L 81” W 43“ H 39“