Friday, November 21, 2014

Live Blogging Amidst Distinctive Swiss Design

We are live-blogging from the Philadelphia Museum of Art (one of our very favorite places on earth) amidst a marvelous exhibition of distinctive Swiss design.
Vitra - Design, Architecture, Communication: A European Project With American Roots opens tomorrow at the Museum's Perelman Building and it continues through April 26, 2015.
This show explores the story of Vitra, the family-owned Swiss furniture company, from its American roots and distinguished design collaborations to its commissions and educational outreach. The exhibition of some 120 works includes furniture, design objects, publications, models and videos divided into four broad sections. 
In conjunction with the exhibition, Rolf Fehlbaum, Vitra's Chairman Emeritus, will be honored by Collab, the group of modern and contemporary design at the Museum.  He receives Collab's Design Excellence award tonight. Fehlbaum founded the Vitra Design Museum with his collection of modern and contemporary furniture and then expanded its activities to include traveling exhibitions, publications and workshops.
It's interesting that while we are blogging right now we are sitting in chairs designed by Vitra as part of the furnishings of the Perelman Building's sleek, airy cafe. Vitra's creations range from everyday objects to whimsical pieces to major edifices. It has had a vast impact on modern design throughout the world.
Designers, artists and architects who have worked with Vitra have included Rod Arad, Philippe Starck, Alexander Girard, Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Frank Gehry.
Vitra continues to manufacture classics as well as new products by leading international designers including Verner Panton, Antonio Citterio, Jasper Morrison and Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec.
The exhibition has been assembled by Kathryn Bloom Hiesinger, The J. Mahlon Buck, Jr. Family Senior Curator of European decorative Arts after 1700.
This show will remind you that art and design are all around you, making your life not only simpler, more comfortable and more functional but also more delightful and even more awe-inspiring. For that reason alone, it's worth your attention!

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