Travel by Design
Design Calendar: Where to Go and What to See in October 2016
The best of Bauhaus design, a pristine collection of gilded furniture and a coral reef made out of crochet are on display this month
Just like the trees whose leaves are starting to change color, the design world is constantly evolving with a mix of new and continuing exhibitions. Take a tour of 12 architectural gems in Austin, Texas. See how the upper crust lived in early 19th-century Philadelphia with a pristinely preserved collection of gilded furniture. And feel as though you’re on a deep-sea adventure among coral reefs made from crochet. Don’t let the season pass you by — there’s plenty to see in October 2016 and beyond.
Among the museum’s permanent collections is an exhibition dedicated to the enduring contributions of African-American craft. The exhibit explores the aesthetic traditions of black community design in American culture. Items such as this intricate silver teapot designed by Peter Boyd in the early 19th century will be on display.
This ornate four-poster bed frame was designed by Henry Boyd and manufactured by his eponymous Boyd Manufacturing Co. in 1840. More info
AIA Austin Homes Tour
What: Homes tour
Where: Austin, Texas
When: Oct. 15 and 16
Cost: $40
Austin, Texas, is thriving, with a booming economy, eclectic music scene and award-winning architecture. To enable people to see some of the city’s finest residential gems, the American Institute of Architects is offering a weekend tour of 12 homes designed by some of the city’s top architects.
This residence, designed by Furman + Keil Architects, is one of the original stone cottages in a lakeside pocket of West Austin. The new design attempts to retain the quirkiness and character of the existing cottage, while thoughtfully adding to it to create an intimately scaled modern home.
What: Homes tour
Where: Austin, Texas
When: Oct. 15 and 16
Cost: $40
Austin, Texas, is thriving, with a booming economy, eclectic music scene and award-winning architecture. To enable people to see some of the city’s finest residential gems, the American Institute of Architects is offering a weekend tour of 12 homes designed by some of the city’s top architects.
This residence, designed by Furman + Keil Architects, is one of the original stone cottages in a lakeside pocket of West Austin. The new design attempts to retain the quirkiness and character of the existing cottage, while thoughtfully adding to it to create an intimately scaled modern home.
In this Austin home designed by Lake Flato architects, the custom poured concrete and raw steel fireplace makes a dramatic statement in this glass-encased contemporary home. More info
L’Esprit du Bauhaus, L’Objet en Question
What: Furniture design exhibition
Where: Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris
When: Oct. 19 through Feb. 26
Cost: About $12 (11 euros)
From 1919 to 1933, the Bauhaus school tried to forge a new concept of daily living through a synthesis of the visual arts, craftsmanship and industry. The school’s impact is still felt in modern architecture and furniture design today. This exhibit pays tribute to the spirit of invention, creation and transmission of knowledge that the great artists, architects and designers who taught and studied at the Bauhaus went on to promote throughout the 20th century. The photograph above, titled Femme au Masque, features a masked woman sitting in a Wassily chair, designed by Marcel Breuer while he attended the Bauhaus school.
What: Furniture design exhibition
Where: Les Arts Décoratifs, Paris
When: Oct. 19 through Feb. 26
Cost: About $12 (11 euros)
From 1919 to 1933, the Bauhaus school tried to forge a new concept of daily living through a synthesis of the visual arts, craftsmanship and industry. The school’s impact is still felt in modern architecture and furniture design today. This exhibit pays tribute to the spirit of invention, creation and transmission of knowledge that the great artists, architects and designers who taught and studied at the Bauhaus went on to promote throughout the 20th century. The photograph above, titled Femme au Masque, features a masked woman sitting in a Wassily chair, designed by Marcel Breuer while he attended the Bauhaus school.
A Polaroid by famed painter, sculptor, photographer, designer and Bauhaus pupil Marianne Brandt is among the many pictures, sketches and furniture items on display. More info
Architectural Icon: The World’s First Bauhaus House
Architectural Icon: The World’s First Bauhaus House
Design and Craft 1905-2005
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Oslo, Norway
When: Through Oct. 31
Cost: About $6 (50 kroner)
This exhibition presents highlights from the history of Norwegian and international avant-garde design covering a 100-year period (1905-2005). Innovative industrial designs, such as this Sparton Bluebird radio, designed by Walter Dorwin Teague in 1935, put a spotlight on the marriage of technology and design that arose in the 20th century.
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Oslo, Norway
When: Through Oct. 31
Cost: About $6 (50 kroner)
This exhibition presents highlights from the history of Norwegian and international avant-garde design covering a 100-year period (1905-2005). Innovative industrial designs, such as this Sparton Bluebird radio, designed by Walter Dorwin Teague in 1935, put a spotlight on the marriage of technology and design that arose in the 20th century.
Iconic furniture, including the Stol chair from famed Danish designer Hans J. Wegner, also will be on display. More info
Modern Icons: Hans Wegner Chairs
Modern Icons: Hans Wegner Chairs
Classical Splendor: Painted Furniture for a Grand Philadelphia House
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
When: Through Jan. 1
Cost: $20
Classical Splendor showcases a suite of furniture designed in 1808 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe for the grand house, above, of Philadelphia merchant William Waln. Inspired by the classical art of ancient Greece and Rome, the painted and gilded furniture is considered one of the greatest artistic triumphs of the early national period.
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
When: Through Jan. 1
Cost: $20
Classical Splendor showcases a suite of furniture designed in 1808 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe for the grand house, above, of Philadelphia merchant William Waln. Inspired by the classical art of ancient Greece and Rome, the painted and gilded furniture is considered one of the greatest artistic triumphs of the early national period.
The exhibition presents 10 pieces from the home’s original set of furniture, including this gilded sideboard.
This gilded and silk-upholstered fainting sofa is also on display. More info
Crochet Coral Reefs: Toxic Seas
What: Craft exhibition
Where: Museum of Craft and Design, New York City
When: Through Jan. 22
Cost: $16
No, you’re not looking at pictures of an underwater coral reef. Sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim have created a convincing replica through the magic of crochet. Mixing crocheted yarn with plastic trash, the work fuses mathematics, marine biology, feminist art practices and craft to produce large-scale coralline landscapes.
The exhibit offers an artistic response to the major dangers facing marine life: climate change and plastic trash.
What: Craft exhibition
Where: Museum of Craft and Design, New York City
When: Through Jan. 22
Cost: $16
No, you’re not looking at pictures of an underwater coral reef. Sisters Margaret and Christine Wertheim have created a convincing replica through the magic of crochet. Mixing crocheted yarn with plastic trash, the work fuses mathematics, marine biology, feminist art practices and craft to produce large-scale coralline landscapes.
The exhibit offers an artistic response to the major dangers facing marine life: climate change and plastic trash.
With the first six months of 2016 the hottest half-year on record, living reefs everywhere are under stress. Into this arena of color, huge areas of whiteness now intrude; bleaching events signal that coral is sick and dying. The Wertheim sisters hope that their work will help inspire greater awareness and protection for coral reefs across the globe. More info
Also
Chihuly in the Garden
What: Acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly’s latest exhibition includes 20 installations set amid a garden’s natural beauty.
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: Through Oct. 30
Cost: $21.95
Engineering Season
What: An annual celebration of the latest and greatest in innovative engineering
Where: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
When: Through Nov. 6
Cost: Free
Biennale Architettura 2016
What: Considered by many to be the world’s most renowned annual international architecture exhibition
Where: Venice, Italy
When: Through Nov. 27
Cost: About $28 (25 euros)
Dennis Oppenheim: Terrestrial Studio
What: A collection of the artist’s whimsical outdoor sculptures on display on 500 pristine acres
Where: Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, New York
When: Through Nov. 30
Cost: $15
Yayoi Kusama: Narcissus Garden
What: A landscape installation composed of 1,300 floating steel spheres drifting on a pond next to architect Philip Johnson’s famous Glass House
Where: The Glass House, New Canaan, Connecticut
When: Through Nov. 30
Cost: $25
W. Women in Italian Design
What: A celebration of Italian design and the creative women behind it
Where: Triennale Design Museum, Milan
When: Through Feb. 19
Cost: About $17 (15 euros)
See more event coverage
Also
Chihuly in the Garden
What: Acclaimed glass artist Dale Chihuly’s latest exhibition includes 20 installations set amid a garden’s natural beauty.
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: Through Oct. 30
Cost: $21.95
Engineering Season
What: An annual celebration of the latest and greatest in innovative engineering
Where: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
When: Through Nov. 6
Cost: Free
Biennale Architettura 2016
What: Considered by many to be the world’s most renowned annual international architecture exhibition
Where: Venice, Italy
When: Through Nov. 27
Cost: About $28 (25 euros)
Dennis Oppenheim: Terrestrial Studio
What: A collection of the artist’s whimsical outdoor sculptures on display on 500 pristine acres
Where: Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, New York
When: Through Nov. 30
Cost: $15
Yayoi Kusama: Narcissus Garden
What: A landscape installation composed of 1,300 floating steel spheres drifting on a pond next to architect Philip Johnson’s famous Glass House
Where: The Glass House, New Canaan, Connecticut
When: Through Nov. 30
Cost: $25
W. Women in Italian Design
What: A celebration of Italian design and the creative women behind it
Where: Triennale Design Museum, Milan
When: Through Feb. 19
Cost: About $17 (15 euros)
See more event coverage
What: Museum exhibition
Where: National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington
When: Ongoing
Cost: Free
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture opened its doors for the first time Sept. 24 to great fanfare. The 400,000-square-foot building is situated on a nearly 5-acre site on the National Mall, near the Washington Monument.