Black Voices in the Design Community Speak Out, Design as Protest Organizes for Action, and More News This Week
From significant business changes to noteworthy product launches, there’s always something new happening in the world of design. In this weekly roundup, AD PRO has everything you need to know.
In Pursuit of a More Just World
Black Voices in the Design Community Speak Out
This week, hundreds of thousands protested across the nation and around the world in the wake of the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others. As a new era for the Black Lives Matter movement began to dawn, countless individuals took to social media to voice their support. Within the design community, numerous black voices shared poignant and thought-provoking statements and images. Ceramicist Roberto Lugo shared a photograph of his work alongside an essay he wrote for RISD about a tense police encounter. Sheila Bridges shared the history of abolitionist and designer Josiah Wedgwood. And Malene Barnett, founder of the Black Artists+Designers Guild, issued a powerful statement about the lack of support for black designers, including but not limited to mentorship. These examples are far from the only powerful messages shared this week by those individuals—and by countless others.
Design as Protest Organizes for Action
Design as Protest (otherwise known as DAP) organized a national call on June 3, and today is the organization’s official Day of Action. At 1 p.m. ET, DAP is hosting a Zoom event for which those interested can register ahead of time. The proceedings are bound to yield important insights for anyone who works in design.
One Minneapolis Business Donates 100% of Its Recent Profits
George Floyd was murdered on the same block as one Minneapolis design shop, Flotsam and Fork. In the wake of the tragedy, co-owners Adrianna Fie and Joe Hasler have donated all of their profits from the last few days of May to Minnesota Freedom Fund and We Love Lake Street. They’re also donating all of their profits from the first week of June to Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization and Reclaim the Block. In a statement issued, the husband-wife team said, “We are angry about a system that is so broken and unjust that destruction is the only way to be heard. We demand justice for George Floyd and we demand change.”
Sales
Bonhams Hits the Auction Block
This week and last, Bonhams staged its spring 2020 design sale, which was chock-full of highlights. Notable items included pieces from an apartment designed by Billy Haines, original works from Florence Knoll, and custom designs by Elsie De Wolfe.
Williams Haines' Custom Hostess Chair.
Product Launches
New Wallpapers and Rugs Are Unrolled
Those in the wall coverings market, be aware: Carlisle & Co has launched eight patterns available through Holly Hunt. Produced in a total of 82 colorways, the patterns—which include Contour, Paramount Vinyl, Bijou, Escalate, and more—are all studies in subtlety. Also of note, Loloi Rugs is set to debut a virtual market next Monday. Beautiful new products will be shown through digital tours that can be requested ahead of time.
Digital Moments
Design Events to Search for Online
This week, the Windy City was a center for design discourse. Importantly, NeoCon staged its digital fair this week, while Chicago Architecture Center shared its intention to continue with its live Zoom programs through the end of the summer. Overseas, London’s Design Museum helped launch a virtual design project dubbed Connected.
All About Arts
A Museum Plans for Reopening, While Two Galleries Stage Shows
Slowly but surely, museums and other cultural organizations are making plans to reopen post-lockdown. And now, Paris’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs, one of the world’s premier institutions dedicated to the decorative arts, is following suit. The museum has announced that its reopening process will begin on June 15 with its library and Ateliers du Carrousel. On June 17, Musée Nissim de Camondo will reopen, while the majority of exhibitions and all permanent collection galleries will reopen on July 7. Elsewhere in the arts world, Marianne Boesky Gallery launched its digital “Secret Garden” exhibition with works by the Haas Brothers, Frank Stella, and more. And finally, Katja Hirche of Bernd Goeckler has spearheaded an online exhibition titled “The New Bronze Age.” Notable design galleries such as Cristina Grajales Gallery, the Future Perfect, Hostler Burrows, and Maison Gerard are participating.
Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
