DWR Presents: Jens Risom from Design Within Reach on Vimeo.
Running into legendary designer Jens Risom in the halls at Design Within Reach is just one of the many great things about working here. Our latest DWR Film lets you experience the wit and wisdom of the modern master, as he speaks with us about history, parachute straps, Hans Knoll and, of course, chairs.
“Never design anything that cannot be made,” said Jean Prouvé. Born on this day 111 years ago, Prouvé always regarded himself as more of an engineer or “constructor,” than a designer. A master of materially efficient designs, his furniture has the presence of architecture, and his ideas for prefabricated houses (he designed his own house as a prototype) were influential in later developments of prefab housing. We raise our glasses to Prouvé on this day. Photo above: Jean Prouvé in front of his house, circa 1955.
Prouvé Potence Lamp; Em Table and Standard Chairs.
Kimbell Art Museum, photo by Rob Forbes
Featured in a special issue of Design Gossip by the lighting company Flos, DWR founder Rob Forbes takes readers on a journey of visual literacy this month. From the Pantheon in Rome to a wine cellar in California, Forbes gives examples of how architects – often unwittingly – can be extraordinary lighting designers. The essay reminds me of George Nelson’s writings in How To See, in which Nelson presents his ideas on how to read the man-made environment. Like Nelson, Forbes carries his camera everywhere and is a master at recognizing and evaluating the things that surround us every day. Learn more about how Forbes sees the world in “Light and Magic.”
In 2010, Forbes founded PUBLIC, with a mission to help improve the quality of our public spaces and our public lives.
Lyonel Feininger photograph: Bauhaus [Dessau] March 26, 1929
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Kandinsky at the Bauhaus, 1922-1933
Ends April 15
J. Paul Getty Museum
In Focus: Los Angeles, 1945-1980
Ends May 6
Portland Art Museum
Through the Looking Glass: Photography's Use of Windows, Doorways and Mirrors
Ends May 6
Mark Rothko
Ends May 27
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum
Lyonel Feininger: Photographs, 1928–1939
Ends June 2. This is the final venue for this traveling exhibition.
Continue reading "Craving culture? Exhibitions to see now. " »
Like all Loll products, the new Swing is made of recycled plastic reclaimed from post-consumer waste (like milk jugs) and can be recycled again if necessary (although it’s doubtful you’ll ever give up your swinging lifestyle). Available in nine fabulous colors.
This city-sponsored event of all things online is open to the public and passes are on sale now for $40, or just $35 if you tweet about Internet Week NY with the hashtag #IWNY. Design Within Reach is co-sponsoring the Lounge (translation: it will be a comfortable place to hang out and recharge … both literally and figuratively) as well as furnishing various spaces at the event. Learn more at internetweekny.com.
The return of Mad Men has us buzzing about midcentury modern decor even more than usual. The AMC series pays incredible attention to recreating 1960s details and the sets don't dissappoint. We've rounded up three of our favorite Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce looks for your Don Draper-worthy home or office.
Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC
Today we celebrate the Danish designer Hans J. Wegner, who was born on this day 98 years ago. Known as the "chair-maker of chair-makers," Wegner designed more than 400 chairs in his lifetime, including the Wishbone Chair (shown above), also known as the "Y" or "CH-24."
