Design Calendar: What to See and Do in July 2012
Chicago explores the skyscraper's creative heights, the Hirshhorn Museum engages all of your senses and Baltimore has art on its agenda
Whether you're interested in discovering new artists or talking architecture, choose a design event below to get inspired.
Tell us: What's on your creative calendar? Let us know about your favorite July design events in the Comments.
Tell us: What's on your creative calendar? Let us know about your favorite July design events in the Comments.
EXHIBIT — Through Sept. 23, 2012
Skyscraper: Art and Architecture Against Gravity
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Even though Chicago was named the birthplace of the skyscraper in the late 19th century, the lure of building structures sky high has always tested physical, technological and material limits. In the latest exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art, artists dig into the human yearning to build through the clouds with video, film, sculpture, painting and photography.
Hours: Tuesday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free (kids under 13) to $12; free on Tuesday for Illinois residents
Photo: "Portable City: Hangzhou, 2011," © Yin Xiuzhen, courtesy of The Pace Gallery, Beijing
Skyscraper: Art and Architecture Against Gravity
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Even though Chicago was named the birthplace of the skyscraper in the late 19th century, the lure of building structures sky high has always tested physical, technological and material limits. In the latest exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art, artists dig into the human yearning to build through the clouds with video, film, sculpture, painting and photography.
Hours: Tuesday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Wednesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free (kids under 13) to $12; free on Tuesday for Illinois residents
Photo: "Portable City: Hangzhou, 2011," © Yin Xiuzhen, courtesy of The Pace Gallery, Beijing
EXHIBIT — July 14–Sept. 5, 2012
Very New Work by Akio Nukaga
Heath Ceramics, San Francisco
Known for his elegant, contemporary pottery, Japanese master potter Akio Nukaga is coming to San Francisco; his work will be the first show at the new Heath Ceramics showroom and gallery. The show will feature Nukaga's hand-thrown pots and vessels loosely inspired by cubism.
Meet the artist at the opening reception from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. Then at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 15, see his technique at the potter's wheel.
Very New Work by Akio Nukaga
Heath Ceramics, San Francisco
Known for his elegant, contemporary pottery, Japanese master potter Akio Nukaga is coming to San Francisco; his work will be the first show at the new Heath Ceramics showroom and gallery. The show will feature Nukaga's hand-thrown pots and vessels loosely inspired by cubism.
Meet the artist at the opening reception from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. Then at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 15, see his technique at the potter's wheel.
EXHIBIT — July 12–Sept. 8, 2012
Come In! Les Femmes
Architecture and Design Museum (A+D), Los Angeles
The third installment of A+D's summer exhibition series, "Come In! Les Femmes" includes work by 25 female artists across all disciplines, transforming the museum into an interactive gallery. Artists include furniture and textile designer Tanya Aguiñiga (photo) and Amy Jean Boebel.
Mingle with the artists and snack on food truck offerings at the opening reception on July 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, 12–6 p.m. (closed Mondays)
Cost: $10 general, $5 students, A+D members free
Buy tickets in advance
Come In! Les Femmes
Architecture and Design Museum (A+D), Los Angeles
The third installment of A+D's summer exhibition series, "Come In! Les Femmes" includes work by 25 female artists across all disciplines, transforming the museum into an interactive gallery. Artists include furniture and textile designer Tanya Aguiñiga (photo) and Amy Jean Boebel.
Mingle with the artists and snack on food truck offerings at the opening reception on July 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, 12–6 p.m. (closed Mondays)
Cost: $10 general, $5 students, A+D members free
Buy tickets in advance
Contemporary Armchairs And Accent Chairs
EXHIBIT — July 20, 2012–Feb. 3, 2013
40 Under 40: Craft Futures
Renwick Gallery, Washington, D.C.
"Craft Futures" features the work of 40 artists younger than 40 in celebration of Renwick Gallery's 40th anniversary. The selected works reflect the value of contemporary sustainable practices.
Select works from the exhibit also provided inspiration for spaces in the Washington Design Center’s DreamHome. This Coney Island–inspired lounger by Uhuru (photo) inspired the dining room.
Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily (closed December 25)
40 Under 40: Craft Futures
Renwick Gallery, Washington, D.C.
"Craft Futures" features the work of 40 artists younger than 40 in celebration of Renwick Gallery's 40th anniversary. The selected works reflect the value of contemporary sustainable practices.
Select works from the exhibit also provided inspiration for spaces in the Washington Design Center’s DreamHome. This Coney Island–inspired lounger by Uhuru (photo) inspired the dining room.
Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily (closed December 25)
SHOW HOUSE — July 22–Sept. 3, 2012
2012 Hampton Designer Showhouse, Water Mill, New York
As if spending time in the Hamptons in summer weren't enough of a draw, visit this year's designer show house, presented by Traditional Home magazine and get inspired by the interior transformation of a traditional shingle-style home. More than 20 designers worked to outfit each square foot, from the butler's pantry to the breakfast room. Proceeds benefit Southampton Hospital.
Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $225 gala preview party; $30 admission
Buy tickets online
2012 Hampton Designer Showhouse, Water Mill, New York
As if spending time in the Hamptons in summer weren't enough of a draw, visit this year's designer show house, presented by Traditional Home magazine and get inspired by the interior transformation of a traditional shingle-style home. More than 20 designers worked to outfit each square foot, from the butler's pantry to the breakfast room. Proceeds benefit Southampton Hospital.
Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: $225 gala preview party; $30 admission
Buy tickets online
TALK — July 11, 2012, 7:15 p.m.
Houses+Origins, by David Stark Wilson
Menlo Park Library, Menlo Park, California
Join San Francisco Bay Area architect David Wilson of WA Design as he presents his latest illustrated book and leads a discussion on homes designed and built in the unique California landscape. A native of Berkeley, California, Wilson creates modern buildings that explore how materials, form and color experienced in nature elicit resonant responses in the built environment.
For more information, email info@wadesign.com.
Houses+Origins, by David Stark Wilson
Menlo Park Library, Menlo Park, California
Join San Francisco Bay Area architect David Wilson of WA Design as he presents his latest illustrated book and leads a discussion on homes designed and built in the unique California landscape. A native of Berkeley, California, Wilson creates modern buildings that explore how materials, form and color experienced in nature elicit resonant responses in the built environment.
For more information, email info@wadesign.com.
EXHIBIT — July 13–Aug. 26, 2012
Unfinished Business: 25 Years of Discourse in Los Angeles
WUHO Gallery, Los Angeles
With the intention “to open up a rich and potentially provocative dialogue,” an upcoming exhibit at the L.A. Forum for Architecture and Urban Design takes a retrospective look at two decades of the organization. The forum has served as a place for architectural discourse since the 1980s, and by revisiting the history of its programming and publications, the exhibit aims to delve into the progress and projection of architectural growth in one of the country's liveliest urban environments.
Hours: Thursday, 1–8 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 1–6 p.m.
Unfinished Business: 25 Years of Discourse in Los Angeles
WUHO Gallery, Los Angeles
With the intention “to open up a rich and potentially provocative dialogue,” an upcoming exhibit at the L.A. Forum for Architecture and Urban Design takes a retrospective look at two decades of the organization. The forum has served as a place for architectural discourse since the 1980s, and by revisiting the history of its programming and publications, the exhibit aims to delve into the progress and projection of architectural growth in one of the country's liveliest urban environments.
Hours: Thursday, 1–8 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 1–6 p.m.
FESTIVAL — July 20–22, 2012
Artscape, Baltimore, Maryland
Every summer, Artscape invites hundreds of thousands of Baltimoreans outdoors to enjoy a visual feast of art and performance. See ordinary sedans transformed into art pieces and stroll through "At-TENT-ion": 20 tents turned into thought-provoking "secret worlds." Also on display are 16-foot-tall metal interactive sculptures designed by artist Christian Ristow; each sculpture features one of the major facial muscles to convey an androgynous human face.
See the full schedule
Hours: Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Artscape, Baltimore, Maryland
Every summer, Artscape invites hundreds of thousands of Baltimoreans outdoors to enjoy a visual feast of art and performance. See ordinary sedans transformed into art pieces and stroll through "At-TENT-ion": 20 tents turned into thought-provoking "secret worlds." Also on display are 16-foot-tall metal interactive sculptures designed by artist Christian Ristow; each sculpture features one of the major facial muscles to convey an androgynous human face.
See the full schedule
Hours: Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Suprasensorial: Experiments in Light, Color, and Space
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.
Sometimes you just want to break the rules and touch the artwork. At the Hirshhorn Museum's "Suprasensorial" exhibit, you’re encouraged to do just that. Engage your senses in an interactive wonderland of neon lights, mirrored passageways and sound. Installations from five groundbreaking Latin American artists challenge how you observe the art as you become a part of it. Highlights include Jesús Rafael Soto’s "Blue Penetrable BBL" (photo), an immersive square jungle of blue hanging nylon strings, and Carlos Cruz-Diez’s "Chromosaturations," three uniquely lit rooms that change hues depending on where you look.
Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. daily