conference & exhibitions – Page 7

2015 chicago architecture biennial events 25>31 october.

Oct 26, 2015

[ 25 > 31 october calendar ] The Chicago Architecture Biennial is free and open to the general public at the Chicago Cultural Center and sites across the city. The event is supported by the City of Chicago and the Graham Foundation, with additional support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and the Chicago Park District. All funding for the event is privately raised, with significant investments from BP and SC Johnson.

above> ‘passage’ by so-il was a site specific installation, spanning one of the centre’s main passageways. photography: tom harris, copyright hedrich blessing. courtesy chicago architecture biennial

Kicking off the Chicago Architecture Biennial Interviews! First, a frank conversation with Amanda Williams.

For a complete list of exhibitions, public programs, supporters, media partners and program partners, visit [ Chicago Architecture Biennial ] which launched 3 October 2015, and will run through 3 January 3 2016. @chicagobiennial @GrahamFound @ChiCulturCenter

studio job dutch designer of the year 2015.

Oct 21, 2015

[ Studio Job ] has been awarded best Dutch designer 2012, 2013, 2014 and now again 2015. We could show a wide range of visuals to highlight this span but the studio wanted to talk ‘car design’ a nd sent us the following. Salute. Again.

above> click on image for lightbox

[ official release ] Land Rover to present the very exclusive limited edition Range Rover Evoque by Studio Job. The exterior and interior colours were selected in collaboration with the Studio Job design collective. The exterior features include finishing with design elements devised by Studio Job for the bonnet, the front mudguards and the doors.

Studio Job was founded by Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel. The have made a name for themselves with numerous non-conformist objects at the cutting edge of design and visual art, varying from utterly unique furniture and the sculpture known as ‘CAR’ featuring the Evoque (2013) to their ‘Automobile’ creation of an extravagantly decorated Land Rover Defender. These were their first car creations, which they revealed in 2013 during the renowned PAN Amsterdam art fair, as an ode to Land Rover’s 65th birthday. It signalled the start of a partnership which has now resulted in the Range Rover Evoque by Studio Job. Although it is less extravagant than the Studio Job Defender, it is no less unique and challenging.

There are two versions of this Range Rover Evoque Coupé, namely the Job Evoque Bronze with polished bronze elements and the Job Evoque Black which features high-gloss black coated aluminium elements. The personalised features are the bonnet, mudguards, doors, roof spoiler, special hub caps and double exhausts. The name ‘Studio Job’ is emblazoned on the radiator grille. Inside the car, your attention is drawn to a relief signature by Studio Job on the 9-speed automatic transmission gear lever which combines beautifully with the ebony leather upholstery and the ‘Satin Brushed Aluminium and Gloss Black Strata’ inlay in the dashboard and the central console.

“The Evoque is a modern car in which everything is interwoven like a three-dimensional puzzle”, explains Job Smeets. ‘The concept is complex and slick. We have now created the perfect Evoque and its racing seats, panoramic roof and monochrome colour scheme make this coupé even more out of this world. We have replaced some parts with hand-crafted parts cast in bronze or aluminium, directly from our studio. This gives the car an even stronger identity. This Evoque is a future classic.

The Range Rover Evoque by Studio Job is based on the Si4 HSE Dynamic version of the Range Rover Evoque Coupé. The 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine generates 177 kW (240 bhp) and maximum torque of 340 Nm, which can be achieved at just 1,750 r.p.m. The specifications include the Dynamic Plus Pack with racing seats, the Black Design Pack light-metal 20 inch wheels, a reversing camera and a glass panoramic roof with electric sunscreen.
The Range Rover Evoque by Studio Job is available at prices starting from € 92,250 (Dutch registration). If there is sufficient interest, a maximum of 20 will be produced. [ More information ] about this exclusive version of the Range Rover Evoque.

zero40 > ral 9010 white coated defender with special degree of gleam, photographed november 2013 in the studio. now studio job is planning to papier mâché the complete carossery

[ a haute couture car ] For a designer, one of the most prestigious commissions is the design of a car. Preferably for a famous brand or for an iconic car. Designing a car means you’re successful! There are several examples of this, but I will only mention the Ford by Marc Newson and the recent Renault by Rose Lovegrove. Almost always these become ‘concept cars’. A styling exercise at the highest level. The cars look like they have come from Mars, have various futuristic and practical gadgets and high-end ingenuities which the design team of the respective car brand can truly admire… at least, that seems the purpose. Sometimes beautiful, often magnificent, but often filled with promise!

When Nynke and I spoke with Land Rover about the icon of Land Rover, the Defender, which now officially reaches pensionable age, everything that’s described above was exactly what we didn’t want. It should not become a stylistic exercise, no beautification, no gadgets, nothing futuristic. We wanted a JOB Land Rover that’s here and now. A sculpture of today!

It all got totally out of hand! The moment that black lady entered our workshop, inspiration started to flow out of our ears. One idea after another. This Land Rover had to cross the world of Studio Job, dig up her own past and also take with her the most exotic and conflicting elements of the African continent on her freaky journey.

This Land Rover became a rolling cabinet of curiosities. The mysterious car that Doctor Snuggles always wanted to have. It’s the Queen’s car, but also the throne of a chieftain, and at the same time a mechanical rhinoceros, a freak show. An autonomous caricature for the leading part in a video by a leading pop star…

People, this Defender has become everything it could have become. Like a cubistic art piece with various perspectives. It is chaotic and bizarre as life itself. It certainly isn’t a stylistic exercise from the design bible, but definitely a rudimentary work of art, conjured from the high hat – also the controversial palette – of Studio Job. An anti-hero that anticipates itself. A diary and a mirror.

Job Smeets, Antwerp, April 2013

[ specs ]
model: Defender 90
year: 2012 – 2013
edition: unique piece
dimension: L 520 x w 290 x h 300 cm
engine: 2,2-liter diesel motor
performance: 90 kw / 3.500 tpm
torque: 360 nm / 2.000 tphm
material: aluminum, bronze, brass, european oak, faience (ceramic), swarovski crystals, hand blown glass, hand paintings, harness leather, high gloss pu coating, rubber ps 160, satin lining, silver leaf, smurray, stained glass, vlisco wax printed fabric, 2k alkyd hand painting, 24k gold leaf.

exterior>
– lamp holders with polychrome glass
– rugged terrain exhaust system
– mechanical door handles & faience grips
– crystal enlaid xl exterior mirror
– high-beam headlamp with candle
– high load imperial with smurray planks
– sirens in hand blown glass
– imperial mounted sound speaker
– aluminum & polished brass shock-absorber
– stained glass windows with peepholes
– aluminum casted tailor-made mudguard
– hand painted flags on pole (zimbabwe & congo)
– curtain rails & rings in wax printed vlisco fabrics
– mud flap holders with xl figurative rubber mud flaps
– crystal inlaid globe with belt drive & pulley system
– fuel system: hose, trumpet, grinder & barrel
– stick out tongue grill
– sex cake hub-cap
– bronze bull bumper
– charm chain
– capitol hub-cap
– colloseum hub-cap
– exhaust flame
– warning bell
– coach wheel
– high load tail gate
– gilded rhino hood horn
– rock mudguard & side
– exterior fire pan mirror
– thick toot
– porch roof fender
– cable reel & bracket

interior>
– crate of duvel
– barbed spare wheel & suspension
– classic steering wheel and knob
– low tech thermometer, leveler, timer & navigation- front seats upholstered in wax printed vlisco fabrics
– rear benches upholstered in wax printed vlisco fabrics
– car leveler
– sand timer
– dashboard clock
– mono radio
– rock handle & headrest
– french oak floor
– brass pedals
– heavy duty shift
– compass
– rock headrest

Museum of Arts and Design Announces Fall 2015 and Early 2016 Exhibition Program
Highlights include Wendell Castle, Japanese Kōgei, Ebony G. Patterson and Studio Job ( 22 March 21 August 2016 )

2015 chicago architecture biennial events 18>24 october.

Oct 17, 2015

[ 18 > 24 october calendar ] The Chicago Architecture Biennial is free and open to the general public at the Chicago Cultural Center and sites across the city. The event is supported by the City of Chicago and the Graham Foundation, with additional support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and the Chicago Park District. All funding for the event is privately raised, with significant investments from BP and SC Johnson.

above> the chicago architecture biennial, which just launched last weekend, is the very first of its kind in north america; a startling fact, even more so when one thinks of the city’s (and country’s) invaluable architectural contribution to modern design. so when it did launch, it did so with a bang. pictured: ‘architecture is everywhere’ by sou fujimoto architects (foreground) plays with the idea that any form can become architecture; ‘house no. 11 (corridor house)’ by moss architects (background) is a comment on mega-mansions, corridors and the use of space in residential building. photography: steve hall, copyright hedrich blessing. courtesy chicago architecture biennial

One of the many exhibits in the Chicago Cultural Center is called “Bold: Alternative Scenarios for Chicago” and features 18 projects and ideas for the city of Chicago. Elsewhere in the Chicago Cultural Center is full-scale house that can be built for less than $4000, by the Vietnamese architecture office Vo Trong Nghia Architects; and the Swiss-based office Gramazio Kohler has collaborated with the MIT Self-Assembly Lab to make the first architectural construction built by robots using only rocks and thread.

2015 chicago architecture biennial events 12>18 october.

Oct 13, 2015

[ 12 > 18 october calendar ] The Chicago Architecture Biennial is free and open to the general public at the Chicago Cultural Center and sites across the city. The event is supported by the City of Chicago and the Graham Foundation, with additional support from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and the Chicago Park District. All funding for the event is privately raised, with significant investments from BP and SC Johnson.

‘rock print’ by gramazio kohler research, eth zurich and self-assembly lab, mit was created without any adhesive, while on the wall are images of wai architecture think tank’s ‘narrative architecture: a manifesto” installation. photography: tom harris, copyright hedrich blessing. courtesy chicago architecture biennial

korea now! design, craft, fashion and graphic design. musée des arts décoratifs.

Oct 6, 2015

Seomi International alerted DesignApplause to four of their artists being featured in the KoreaNOW! exhibition. The artists are Lee Hun Chung, Bae Se Hwa, Choi Byung Hoon, Bahk Jong Sun. The exhibition runs thru 3 january 2016 | mMsée des Arts décoratifs | Paris

As part of the France-Korea Year organized under the aegis of the France-Korea Committee, chaired by Henri Loyrette, and in partnership with the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, from 19 September 2015 to 3 January 2016, the Musee des Arts decoratifs will be showing the Korea now! Craft, Design, Fashion and Graphic Design in Korea exhibition. This major event will bring together more than 700 works of art by 150 artists, artisans, designers, fashion designers and graphic designers in almost all of the museum’s temporary exhibition spaces. The french public will discover the eclectic mix of styles, tastes and creations and the contemporary brilliance of this astounding artistic heritage still little known in Europe. The intriguing and fascinating megalopolis that seoul is today is a cultural melting pot and above all a centre of creative effervescence whose trends are followed closely on the international design and fashion scenes.

Seomi International will again return to Design Miami | 2 – 6 december 2015.

barbara kasten: stages. graham foundation – 2015 chicago architecture biennial.

Sep 28, 2015

Please join us on Thursday, 1 October for a reception to celebrate the Graham Foundation’s new exhibition, Barbara Kasten: Stages, with opening remarks by artist Barbara Kasten and curator Alex Klein. Spanning Kasten’s five-decade engagement with abstraction, light, and architectural form, this exhibition explores the artist’s expansive photographic practice and highlights her critical engagement with architecture and her impact on a new generation of artists. Barbara Kasten: Stages is presented in partnership with the 2015 Chicago Architecture Biennial.

In conjunction with the exhibition opening, the Graham Foundation, with Distributed Art Publishers, is pleased to launch Barbara Kasten: The Diazotypes––a special small-run artist book of Kasten’s diazotypes, a body of work she created while living in California in the 1970s using a process commonly employed to create architectural blueprints. Along with the exhibition catalogue, Barbara Kasten: The Diazotypes will be available for purchase at the Graham Foundation Bookshop. [ more on barbara kasten ]

event> barbara kasten: stages
date> thursday 2 October 2015
time> 5-8PM
opening reception> Please RSVP
comments> 5PM comments by barbara kasten & alex klein, curator, institute of contemporary art

Barbara Kasten: Stages is organized by the Institute of Contemporary Art, University of Pennsylvania and is curated by ICA curator Alex Klein. Major support for the exhibition has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

day 1 peek at expo chicago 2015.

Sep 18, 2015

Things started off creatively. Upon picking up press credentials last night we were given this very cleverly designed wristband. Looking like a yellow tongue depressor when handed to us, when bent a bit it snapped around the wrist. TY MCA.

Expo Chicago 2015 is our fourth consecutive visit. Our first impression, the event is maturing, getting better. But to-the-point. In 2013, our second year, the concept of asking the galleries if they’ere showing work from artists who studied architecture and/or design.

To solidify this bent, the night before at the Making place: The Architecture of David Adjaye at an Art Institute special conversation with David, we learn he discovered architecture while attending an art school. In his acceptance speech of the 2016 McDermott Award, “in my career I have sought to cross creative platforms and to focus on the creative discourse surrounding the act of making things.”

above> washington skeleton chair, 2012 | david adjaye for knoll | salon 94 – the very chair that david and zoë ryan were sitting on at Making Place the night before.

What does DesignApplause look for? You have to consider our introduction to the co-existence of fine art and design, found at Art Basel and DesignMiami. The last three years we’ve asked Tony Karman if the design gallery would pop-up. Here’s what he said in our 2013 interview, “we want quality over quantity, meaning a smaller show, about 100 exhibitors. ‘When the marketplace can sustain it and quality of dealers are beating down the door, we’ll consider it. But only if the exhibitors want it, not me. It’s their space.’

We didn’t have to ask in 2015. When sent the 2015 exhibitor list, near the bottom:

To complement the intersections between art and design, the 2015 edition will present some of the leading international exhibitors specializing in this field interspersed throughout the main fair. Galleries include: HOSTLER BURROWS | New York; casati gallery | Chicago; R & Company | New York; and Volume Gallery | Chicago.

above> beddy white, 20015 | the haas brothers | r & company – when we approach zesty meyers, founder of r & company, and one of the 15 founding galleries Design Miami ten years ago, we ask who’s a trained architect or designer, he says, “pick anyone you like.”

An aside, the past three years about 50% of the galleries are showing trained architects, designers or artists inspired by architecture & design. Tonight we have three hours and our ‘see first’ list are those galleries we posted in the past. We’ve put an (*) next to their name in the exhibitors list below. There are 26 on this list, a testament to returning galleries, and regretfully three hours is not enough to see all tonight.

Rhona Hoffman Gallery wowed us by saying none of their artists were formally trained but the gallery provided a special room for those artists (5) inspired by a&d.

above> circus, 1978 | gordon matta-clark | rhona hoffman gallery – matta-clark creates installation art from buildings about to be demolished. below> untitled (15-05), 2015 | richard rezac | rhona hoffman gallery – created works are comprised of discarded architectural hardware.

Another surprise, furniture by Chicago-bred Virgil Abloh. We know him as the outspoken creative director of Kanye West, a popular D.J., a fashion designer, with a Chicago clothing store, RSVP gallery. We didn’t know he’s an architect and engineer and left a Chicago office to do what he’s doing now.

above> grid system, 2015 | virgil abloh – his furniture appears to embody a little of abloh’s energy too.

above> portraits with mona, 2015 | gregory scott | catherine edelman gallery – former graphic designer mr. scott is admiring his own work.

We look at our watches, it’s 9p. We’re hungry. btw, before we left we took an aisle by aisle walk with an at-glance eye at everything. this is a great event.

above> – we walk out a side door to the outside – we’re hungry AND tired. TY Expo Chicago

above> click on image > navigate lightbox

The 2015 exhibitor list was chosen by the international Selection Committee comprised of Marianne Boesky, Marianne Boesky Gallery * | New York; Isabella Bortolozzi, Isabella Bortolozzi Galerie | Berlin; John Corbett, Corbett vs. Dempsey | Chicago; Chris D’Amelio, David Zwirner | London, New York; Rhona Hoffman, Rhona Hoffman Gallery * | Chicago; David Nolan, David Nolan Gallery | New York; Jessica Silverman, Jessica Silverman Gallery | San Francisco; and Susanne Vielmetter, Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects | Los Angeles.

EXPOSURE, the section of the fair dedicated to galleries that have been in business seven years or less, allows the opportunity for younger galleries to participate in a major international exposition. A special exhibition of one or two artists by each of the participating galleries provides critical exposure for their programs, offering an important opportunity for curators, collectors and art enthusiasts to survey the best in innovative and emerging work. The EXPOSURE Selection Committee was led by returning gallerist Candice Madey, On Stellar Rays | New York and Kate Werble, Kate Werble Gallery | New York.

The list of 2015 EXPOSURE exhibiting galleries includes:

[ expo chicago ] The International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art, is presented by Art Expositions, LLC. Now in its fourth year as a leading international art fair, EXPO CHICAGO (Sept. 17 – 20, 2015) is a four-day art event featuring more than 140 leading international galleries and offering diverse programming including /Dialogues, IN/SITU and EXPO VIDEO. Under the leadership of President and Director Tony Karman, EXPO CHICAGO draws upon the city’s rich history as a vibrant international cultural destination, while highlighting the region’s contemporary arts community and inspiring its collector base. Vernissage, the opening night preview benefiting the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, takes place Thursday, 17 September 6 – 9 p.m. General Admission to the exposition is Friday, 18 September – Sunday, 20 September. Tickets to the exposition are $20 for one day, $30 for three days.

friedman benda exhibits ettore sottsass: 1955 >1969.

Sep 9, 2015

Friedman Benda opened its eighth season with Ettore Sottsass 1955-1969. The fourth in a series devoted to the expansive oeuvre of the groundbreaking Italian architect – designer Ettore Sottsass (1917‐2007), the exhibition ten years in the making will explore the breadth of Sottsass’ remarkable creativity in the early stages of his career. With a display of unique ceramics, rare furniture and lighting, and vintage photographs never before seen in the United States, the exhibition will also be the first in a newly configured exhibition space for Friedman Benda in Chelsea.

The showing serves as a gateway to understanding an extremely diverse and fertile 15-year period in Italian design and art, which precedes the years of Radical Design. These are the formative years for the designer who used ceramics as a laboratory for developing a new language of design. Rare ceramics on view will include work from every important series of this period and several are derived from Sottsass’s memories and reflections of his travels to India, to the U.S., and from personal life experiences.

Among them will be examples of Lava (1957), Tondi (1959), and Tenebre (1963), the designer’s “Darkness” series in somber tones with mandala – like imagery, conceived during a protracted illness. Others will be from Shiva (1964), a series celebrating his return to good health with homage to the Indian deity, the great conqueror of death, and from the Tantra (1968), and Fumo (1969), series. All of these works have been extensively published and collected by museums worldwide.

Furniture and lighting will also include major one‐of‐a‐kind pieces: the first showing in the United States of a bookshelf made for a director of Olivetti; front slatted rosewood cabinets, one in white and one in red; and examples of mirrors and lighting designed for Arredoluce. Sottsass, who worked in a variety of media, produced many of these works for his patrons, while others were created as artistic expressions in his studio practice.

above> click on image to engage slideshow – 17 slides

[ ettore sottsass ] (1917 – 2007) was an Italian architect and designer. His body of designs included furniture, jewelry, glass, lighting and office machine designs.

In 1956, Ettore Sottsass began working as a design consultant for Olivetti, designing office equipment, typewriters, and furniture where made his name as a designer who, through color, form and styling, managed to bring office equipment into the realm of popular culture. In office equipment his iconic Valentine typewriter (1969) became a fashion statement.

His work from the late 60s to the 70s was defined by experimental collaborations with younger designers such as Superstudio and Archizoom Associati, and association with the Radical movement, culminating in the foundation of Memphis.

In 1980 Sottsass Associati was established, primarily an architectural practice, although also designed elaborate stores and showrooms for Esprit, identities for Alessi, exhibitions, interiors, consumer electronics in Japan and furniture of all kinds.attracted attention world wide for its energy and flamboyance.

exhibit > ettore sottsass: 1955 -1969
venue > friedman benda | 515 west 26th street | new york | 212 239 8700
dates> 10 september > 17 october 2015

[ #FriedmanBenda ] [ instagram ] [ facebook ]

being original: making the case for authentic design.

Sep 2, 2015

event> “being original: making the case for authentic design” aia and idcec approved ceu course
date> tuesday 22 september 2015 | 12 noon
venue> centro | 4727 mcpherson avenue | st. louis MO
rsvp> by friday 18 september 2015 | office@centro-inc.com
instructor> john james jenkin, ceo, driade

Be Original Americas™ will present their first-ever Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course on the importance of authentic design while delving into the nature of innovation and creativity. The economic, social, legal, and personal costs of supporting knock-offs will be highlighted. This will be held at Centro, St. Louis’ premiere location for the best in design, during St. Louis Design Week. Instructor John James Jenkin, CEO, Driade and a Be Original Americas board member will lead the program for architects and interior designers to earn continuing education (0.1 IDCEC/1 LU AIA) credits for members of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Interior Design Continuing Education Council (IDCEC). The 2 hour program will include a 1 hour course, networking and lunch.

[ be original americas ]
Be Original Americas, founded in 2012, is committed to educating, informing and influencing designers, businesses, and the greater public on the value of purchasing authentic designs. The goal is to elevate the discussion so that all who appreciate good design also understand the economic, social, and ethical reasons to support the creators and manufacturers of original, authorized design, thereby ensuring its future.

[ centro ]
Cento began in 1988 as a trade showroom representing furniture, lighting, and textiles from around the globe. In 1998, Centro opened its doors to retail clientele in the historic Central West End neighborhood of St. Louis, MO. A showroom expansion in 2003 tripled the size of the showroom. Today, Centro is the exclusive St. Louis retailer for over forty-five of the leading design brands in the world, including B&B Italia, Driade, Zanotta, Tom Dixon, Flos, Cassina, Alessi, Moooi, Cappellini, Artemide, Fritz Hansen, Knoll, and Herman Miller.

is original design good business – be original americas.

Jul 30, 2015

Be Original Americas to host a dynamic panel at Las Vegas Market Center on Sunday 2 August 2015 from 1 > 2p. Moderator DJ Carey, Editorial Director of Cottages & Gardens will lead a panel of design industry experts as they discuss the cause and effects of counterfeit goods on the design industry, raising the question ‘is original design good business?’

Join Carey in conversation with Alessi’s managing director Paolo Cravedi, Design-Milk founder Jaime Derringer, Dwell Store’s director of merchandising Josh Mintz, and SFMOMA Museum Store buyer Howard Thornton as they explore what the future holds if designers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers ignore the current counterfeit problem. To attend the talk, RSVP and for more information.

above> at gensler los angeles // below> at wanted design nyc

Be Original Americas, founded in 2012, is committed to educating, informing and influencing designers, businesses, and the greater public on the value of purchasing authentic designs. The goal is to elevate the discussion so that all who appreciate good design also understand the economic, social, and ethical reasons to support the creators and manufacturers of original, authorized design, thereby ensuring its future. For more information, visit www.beoriginalamericas.com.

event> is original design good for business? be original americas™
venue> las vegas world market center | building c, c174 | 475 south grand central pkwy
date> sunday 2 august 2015 | 1 > 2p