Apparatus

‘Subjects’ Film Series

A series of intimate films exploring the profound connection between creativity, community, and the human experience.

Overview

Subjects is a series of films born from the shared experiences of colleagues, friends, and collaborators of APPARATUS, the New York City-based lighting and furniture studio. The films originated from a desire to tell a deeply personal story about the relationship between APPARATUS artistic director Gabriel Hendifar, the objects he creates, and how an eclectic cast of characters form his creative family and infuses his work with meaning.

The story begins with APPARATUS welcoming their subjects into a space illuminated by the new Cylinder : Series modular lighting system—a setting designed not just to showcase form and function, but to honor the presence and creative agency of each guest. Captured candidly through a blend of film and imagery, these encounters unfold in raw, unfiltered moments. At the heart of Subjects are personal dialogues—conversations that reveal the unique perspectives, personalities, and narratives that bring life to the APPARATUS world. These dialogues traverse concepts like the role of movement, how glamour shapes one’s resistance, the true meaning of gratitude and much more. After all, what significance do objects and spaces hold if not for the people who interact with, and imbue them with meaning? As Hendifar reflects, “Sure, you can leave one of our galleries with a beautiful object that serves a beautifully simple function. But you can also leave with empty hands and a full head or heart. Often, it is that which we cannot hold in our hands which matters most.” The result is an eight-film series that celebrates these full heads, full hearts, and the fleeting yet profound moments that connect us.

Sectors

  • Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Hospitality

Timeline

  • Q4 2024

Credits

  • APPARATUS Team

    • Andrew Cinnamon
    • Candice Hernstad
    • Gabriel Hendifar

  • Creative Director

    • Ryan Barone

  • Silver Tooth Post Team

    • Cristi Duncan
    • Luiza Herdy

  • Sound Design

    • Christophe Daigle

  • Photography

    • Dina Litovsky
    • Matthew Placek

  • Hair Artist

    • Bob Recine

  • Makeup Artist

    • James Kaliardos

  • Wardrobe Stylist

    • Ian Bradley

  • Scenic Construction

    • John Powell

  • Prop Stylist

    • Cindy Diprima

Awards & Recognition

Visit

Adaptability and Meaning

We partnered with New York City creative director Ryan Barone to shape these films, taking inspiration from the Cylinder : Series itself and revealing adaptability and modularity not as something cold or utilitarian, but as a deeply human experience—one that responds, evolves, and remains in motion. At its core, Subjects is an exploration of that adaptability—not just in design, but in identity, relationships, and the ever-evolving nature of creative communities. Our friendships, collaborations, and even our sense of self are fluid, made up of many parts that continuously shift and reshape. Nowhere is this more apparent than within this collective of multi-hyphenate artists, each contributing to a larger, interconnected whole.

A System in Motion

Each film acts as a piece of a larger puzzle, coming together to tell the story of this particular cast of characters—their relationships, their creative fluidity, their shared humanity. Through this, we also illuminate the connection between process and imperfection, pulling back the curtain to celebrate both. Our design system is in service of these stories, providing an adaptable framework that allows each narrative to dance and unfold while maintaining a cohesive whole—just like the relationships it documents.

Biographies in Light

The resulting films celebrate these full heads, full hearts, and the fleeting yet profound moments that connect us. The films were launched on the APPARATUS website and at a commemorative gathering at the studio’s New York office in collaboration with Cultured Mag, where they remain on display as biographies in light.