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Past Events: 2003
A Jeckyll tour
Thursday, October 16th, 6-7 PM
Bard Graduate Center - 18 West 86th St.
Thomas Jeckyll (1827Ð1881) was a wildly imaginative and eccentric designer and architect, and is
considered one of the leading figures of the British Aesthetic Movement, who popularized the Anglo-Japanese style in
England. While furniture formed a significant part of Jeckyll's design commissions, his designs were limited to expensive
pieces part of specific interior projects and not intended for multiple production. Like his architectural renovations,
Jeckyll often combined Jacobean and Old English styles of furniture with Chinese and Japanese elements. During a private
guided tour of the first exhibition devoted to this fascinating character, we will explore Jeckyll's life and works, from
his early ecclesiastical architectural interiors and furniture, to his landmark pieces for Heath Old Hall, Holland Park,
and the Peacock Room illuminating his impact on the history of nineteenth century design.
Designing and Sourcing Custom Hardware
Tuesday, October 28th, 6PM
Robert Martin Designs, Brooklyn Navy Yard Bldg 280, Suite 223
Furniture New York member Robert Martin, of Robert Martin Designs, Inc., will lead a seminar on
the issues of creating hardware for custom pieces. Designing, engineering, prototyping, sourcing and fabricating can be a
confusing road when pursuing a design idea, but shouldn't be a detriment to its creation. Much of Robert's work has incorporated
hardware engineered and fabricated specifically for an individual design, and his experience will be invaluable in walking us
through the process. Call Robert (718)797-1183 or Scott (718)381-9200 for directions.
Studio Furniture in America and the Nakashima Aesthetic
Thursday, November 6th , 6:00 PM presentations and discussion 7:30 - 8PM - book signing reception
Bard Graduate Center - 18 West 86th St.
$25 general $17 seniors, students, COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION for members of Furniture New York
Throughout the 20th century, the American studio furniture movement was shaped by the philosophies and traditions
of several generations of artists and designers. Seminal figures Wharton Esherick (1887-1970) and Sam Maloof (1916-), second
generation artists such as Wendell Castle (1932-), and current practitioners including Wendy Maruyama (1952-) each brought a
new set of parameters to the movement, illustrated by the artisans' multifarious design approaches, choice of materials, and
differing techniques. Edward Cooke, furniture scholar and co-curator of a groundbreaking exhibition documenting the evolution
of the studio furniture movement, will consider the major figures, trends, and landmark objects of this phenomenon.
Joining the dialog, designer Mira Nakashima-Yarnall will present architectural and furniture projects by her
father George Nakashima (1905-1990), and discuss the "Nakashima Aesthetic," along with Jonah Zuckerman who will explore its influence
on New York City designers. This program is a preview of the exhibition The Maker's Hand: American Studio Furniture, 1940 - 1990,
on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, from November 12, 2003, through February 8th, 2004, and the publication Nature, Form,
and Spirit: the Life and Legacy of George Nakashima (Abrams, 2003).
Guided tour of the National Design Triennial: Inside Design Now at the Cooper-Hewitt
Friday, December 5th, at 6PM
Free admission for FNY members (courtesy of the museum and FNY); others pay regular $10 admission
"The Cooper-Hewitt's Triennial reviews new ideas and future horizons across the fields of current practice,
from architecture and interiors to product design, fashion, graphic design and new media. It is the only exhibition of its kind
in the nation. On view will be the work of 80 designers and firms including emerging voices and noted industry leaders.
"Inside Design Now" is organized not by a dominant style or theme but by the spirit and focus of each designer and project selected.
The exhibition is conceived as a journey from object to object, guiding visitors along the currents of contemporary design practice
through a striking collage of artifacts and images."
"iMade - I Modi del Produrre" (Ways of producing: Italian creativity and Design)
On Tuesday, June 3rd from 6:00 pm to 7:30 we will have a presentation and tour of "iMade - I Modi del Produrre"
at Chelsea Gallery District, 545 West 22nd St. This acclaimed show, "Ways of producing: Italian creativity and Design," is travelling
the globe, and is open in NY only until June 5th. Curated by Frida Doveil, the show includes work by internationally acclaimed designers
and well known manucturers, with a careful focus on the relationship between creativity and new production technology. Among other things
it deals with the Italian government's role in promoting research and experimentation. A representative from the Italian Trade Commission
will be on hand to introduce the show, elaborate on its contents, and answer questions. After the tour, at 7:30 we will head to Chelsea
Commons at 242 Tenth Avenue (Corner of 24th Street) for a wrap up and libations.
Brooklyn Designs
Brooklyn Designs runs from June 13th-15th in DUMBO. Go to www.brooklyndesigns.net for more information.
Furniture New York is one of the institutional sponsors of the event and has been heavily involved in its creation and development.
We are proud to be hosting the keynote lecturer, Vito Acconci, who will be speaking at 6:00 pm on Friday, June 13th. Long an
internationally acclaimed sculptor and performance artist, Acconci has since 1988 been focussing on furniture and architectural
installations. His artful design work has brought him numerous awards and tremendous press attention. He will some presenting his
recent and current projects, including an artificial island in Graz, Austria, an adjustable gallery in New York, and a clothing
store in Tokyo.
Also, on Saturday, June 14th at 4:00 pm in the auditorium at Brooklyn Designs, Furniture New York
will be hosting a symposium called "Commissioning Work: The Rewards and Mysteries of Custom Furniture." Led by a moderator,
three FNY member exhibitors will present some recent custom projects and discuss their experiences with the process of creating them.
Following the close of Brooklyn Designs, we will be having a wrap up meeting about Brooklyn Designs
that will hopefully set it on course for next year. On hand will be Ken Adams, head of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce,
and several state and city officials who were instrumental in making the show happen and can help shape its future growth.
The precise date, time, and location of this meeting will follow.
Issues of Design and Production in Resin and Fiberglass
In mid-July, we will be having an event on Issues of Design and Production in Resin and Fiberglass.
Mark Raymond - Technical Director of the Mahogany Company, a national distributor to the composite industry - will discuss chemistry,
appropriate uses, production techniques, and toxicity issues of the many varieties of resins and their additives. Between him and
his two colleagues who will accompany him, they have sixty years of experience in these mysterious materials and processes. They
should be able to answer any and all questions.
Free to members. The precise date, time, and location of this meeting will follow.
When Design Works
Furniture New York's Member Presentation Series on Designing for [a] Living
Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:30-8:00pm, Reception to follow
Parsons School of Design, 2 West 13th Street, Room L311
Presenters: Frank Carfaro, Desiron; Jeanne Heifetz, Loomful of Hues; Jonah Zuckerman, City Joinery
Wednesday, May 7th, 6:30-8:00pm, Reception to follow
New School University, 65 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor
Presenters: Tucker Robbins, Tucker Robbins Inc.; Stephen Whisler, Whisler; Richard Wrightman, Richard Wrightman Design.
Free to Students and Members of Furniture New York. Non-members, $10.
Furniture New York is proud to announce its first annual member presentation series. These events will bring our
membership -- small and medium-sized companies involved in the design and production of new furniture and
furnishings --together with students, faculty, and practitioners in the New York design community for two
evenings of conversation about the intersection of design ideals and business realities.
The presentations by a diverse group of local contemporary designers will range from
the processes and sources through which one's new ideas emerge to the constraints that production and sales
opportunities place upon them. As design inclinations, production processes, and market conditions often
battle each other furiously in the overheated New York arena, how does one measure one's success?
These events are part of Furniture New York's larger effort to become a rich and useful
resource and link to the design education community. This ongoing series begins at the Parson School of Design,
with future evenings located at other leading schools of design in the New York area.
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