Chicago, IL—Emerging designers from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) present new work at The Future Perfect Pop-Up Shop in NoHo May 19–June 8 during New York's International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). Their project, whatnot, premiered at Milan's foremost independent design showroom, Spazio Rossana Orlandi, for the Salone Internazionale del Mobile (International Furniture Fair) in April. Objects from the whatnotcollection are also available for sale on the Future Perfect website, and will return to Chicago in June for display at SAIC's AIADO and Fashion Graduate Exhibition June 9–July 21.
In response to the uncertain economical climate, whatnot focuses on limited editions of useful, affordable products. The designers concentrate on value-for-money designs, producing editions and useful products rather than unrealizable prototypes. Their collection of affordable objects—"whatnots"—understands the contemporary condition in which emails have replaced letters, flying is a chore, everyone is a winner, and multi-tasking is assumed. whatnot offers an experience rich in materiality and meaning, while allowing for a bit of necessary joy, irrational desire, and simple satisfaction.
The project is the result of a two-semester design studio directed byHelen Maria Nugent and Jim TerMeer, professors in the department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects (AIADO) at SAIC. Designers include: Brian Bailey, Adam Chau, Iggy Choi, Stephen Gulau, Shelley Getzendanner, David Hull, Errin Kancal, Judith Lambotte, Felicia Liu, Charlie McArthur, Haruka Morimoto, Michael Pappas, Mig Rod, Chi Sun, Karl Williamson, and Tyler Yager.
Project summaries, process images, and more information is available at saic.edu/whatnot. High-resolution press images from the project are available online at saic.edu/images.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago: whatnot
International Contemporary Furniture Fair 2012
May 19–June 8, 2012
10 a.m.–7 p.m.
The Future Perfect Pop-Up Shop (open through June 12)
2 Cooper Square, New York, NY 10003
212.473.2500 | shop.thefutureperfect.com
Opening Reception: May 19, 6–9 p.m.
During the 2011 Salone Internazionale del Mobile, SAIC designers presented LOADED, an exhibition of 13 original objects and two multiples that exploited the history, physicality, and currency of two catalytic materials: iron and sugar. The exhibition welcomed more than 10,000 visitors during its run April 12–17 and was covered by Domus,New York Magazine, the Huffington Post, Core77, the Architect's Newspaper, and Inhabitat—which called it "one of our favorite exhibits at this year's fair." Since returning to Chicago, each of the highly praised objects from LOADED have been placed on view in City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's personal office.
In new rankings released March 13 by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC's MFA program rose to the nation's second rank on the 2013 Best Graduate Schools: Fine Arts list, just one-tenth of one ranking point below the top position.
SAIC ARCHITECTURE DEGREES EARN NEW ACCREDITATION
SAIC announced August 3, 2011 that the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) has conferred its initial 3-year term of accreditation to SAIC's Master of Architecture degree. Master of Architecture graduates in four tracks organized by SAIC's Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects(AIADO) are now eligible to apply for professional licensure. SAIC's master's degree becomes one of just five accredited by NAAB among all those granted by the 41 members of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). Joining programs at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology, SAIC is the third school in the city of Chicago to offer the accredited degree.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers nationally accredited undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs to nearly 3,200 students from around the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, SAIC has an educational philosophy built upon an interdisciplinary approach to art and design, giving students unparalleled opportunities to develop their creative and critical abilities, while working with renowned faculty who include many of the leading practitioners in their fields. SAIC's resources include the Art Institute of Chicago and its new Modern Wing; numerous special collections and programming venues provide students with exceptional exhibitions, screenings, lectures, and performances. For more information, please visit saic.edu
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