Design Calendar: Where to Go and What to See in December 2016
Explore a garden-turned-winter wonderland and grab some shade under the world’s largest 3D-printed structure this month
Bryan Anthony
December 1, 2016
As the holiday season gets into full swing, don’t forget to add some culture to your family’s to-do list. Take a tour of a renowned public garden-turned-winter wonderland in Victoria, Canada. Get relief from the hot Miami sun under the world’s largest 3D-printed structure. Or view some of the most famous works of art re-created with Legos. There’s plenty to see and explore in December 2016 and beyond.
The Magic of Christmas
What: Garden tour
Where: The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada
When: Dec. 1 to Jan. 6, 2017
Cost: $26 Canadian (about $20)
For the month of December and a few days into 2017, one of Canada’s most prized public gardens transforms into a holiday winter wonderland. This is how the park’s famed Sunken Garden normally looks during the winter.
What: Garden tour
Where: The Butchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada
When: Dec. 1 to Jan. 6, 2017
Cost: $26 Canadian (about $20)
For the month of December and a few days into 2017, one of Canada’s most prized public gardens transforms into a holiday winter wonderland. This is how the park’s famed Sunken Garden normally looks during the winter.
Here, the Sunken Garden is aglow in all its holiday glory. Christmas lights, wreaths, roving carollers, ice skating and holiday treats are among the sights, sounds and activities to take in. More info
Design Miami
What: Art and design fair
Where: Miami
When: Through Dec. 4
Cost: $30
This annual five-day gathering of the globe’s most influential collectors, galleries, designers and curators always brings a loyal crowd of art lovers. But this year, there’s much buzz about what’s greeting guests before they even step inside the convention center. The world’s largest 3D printed structure will be located in the public plaza in front of Design Miami’s entrance.
What: Art and design fair
Where: Miami
When: Through Dec. 4
Cost: $30
This annual five-day gathering of the globe’s most influential collectors, galleries, designers and curators always brings a loyal crowd of art lovers. But this year, there’s much buzz about what’s greeting guests before they even step inside the convention center. The world’s largest 3D printed structure will be located in the public plaza in front of Design Miami’s entrance.
Flotsam & Jetsom was designed by the team at SHoP Architects and inspired by Miami’s coastal location. It allows guests to “float” through it as they go about their business. More info
From Teaspoons to Titanic
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Museum of the City of New York
When: Through Dec. 18
Cost: $14
This exhibition features a selection of the museum’s new acquisitions that speak to the life and spirit of New York City. Among the items on display is this silver spoon featuring the Statue of Liberty.
What: Museum exhibition
Where: Museum of the City of New York
When: Through Dec. 18
Cost: $14
This exhibition features a selection of the museum’s new acquisitions that speak to the life and spirit of New York City. Among the items on display is this silver spoon featuring the Statue of Liberty.
A rare wood deck chair from the RMS Titanic, whose maiden voyage was to travel from Southampton, England, to New York City, will also be on view. More info
The Art of the Brick
What: Contemporary art exhibition
Where: Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan
When: Through Jan. 29, 2017
Cost: 16 euros (about $17)
CNN calls it one of the world’s 10 must-see exhibitions. And now, after great success in New York; Los Angeles; Melbourne, Australia; Shanghai; Singapore; London; Paris; and Rome, the display of Lego sculptures by New York artist Nathan Sawaya has landed in Milan.
One million bricks make up more than 100 colored 2D and 3D sculptures, including reconstructions of famous artworks such as the Mona Lisa,Venus de Milo and Girl With the Pearl Earring.
What: Contemporary art exhibition
Where: Fabbrica del Vapore, Milan
When: Through Jan. 29, 2017
Cost: 16 euros (about $17)
CNN calls it one of the world’s 10 must-see exhibitions. And now, after great success in New York; Los Angeles; Melbourne, Australia; Shanghai; Singapore; London; Paris; and Rome, the display of Lego sculptures by New York artist Nathan Sawaya has landed in Milan.
One million bricks make up more than 100 colored 2D and 3D sculptures, including reconstructions of famous artworks such as the Mona Lisa,Venus de Milo and Girl With the Pearl Earring.
Sawaya is a Lego certified professional, and his works, such as this Lego portrait of artist Andy Warhol, are making the rounds. Sawaya’s motto is “Dreams are built … one brick at a time.” More info
The Frankfurt Art School: Modernism on the Main
What: Design exhibition
Where: Bauhaus Museum of Design, Berlin
When: Through Feb. 27, 2017
Cost: 7 euros (about $7)
The Frankfurt Art School was founded in 1923, and while it doesn’t get as much recognition as its more famous German art school sibling, the Bauhaus, the school did produce many great works that have influenced modern design. This poster from 1929 advertises an exhibition at the art school.
What: Design exhibition
Where: Bauhaus Museum of Design, Berlin
When: Through Feb. 27, 2017
Cost: 7 euros (about $7)
The Frankfurt Art School was founded in 1923, and while it doesn’t get as much recognition as its more famous German art school sibling, the Bauhaus, the school did produce many great works that have influenced modern design. This poster from 1929 advertises an exhibition at the art school.
This chrome-and-steel task lamp was designed by Frankfurt Art School alum Christian Dell in 1929. More info
Unseated: Contemporary Chairs Reimagined
What: Furniture exhibition
Where: Denver Art Museum
When: Through May 7, 2017
Cost: $24
These works highlight the vast range of materials and processes utilized by contemporary furniture designers as they challenge our notions of what design can be through the enduring form of the chair. The methods employed by these designers demonstrate a mix of hand craftsmanship and digital production. Some utilize longstanding production methods, while others push the limits of existing technologies.
The Carbon Chair, pictured, was designed by Scott Bennett and Jeffrey Matthias using carbon fiber, reinforced concrete, walnut and plastic.
What: Furniture exhibition
Where: Denver Art Museum
When: Through May 7, 2017
Cost: $24
These works highlight the vast range of materials and processes utilized by contemporary furniture designers as they challenge our notions of what design can be through the enduring form of the chair. The methods employed by these designers demonstrate a mix of hand craftsmanship and digital production. Some utilize longstanding production methods, while others push the limits of existing technologies.
The Carbon Chair, pictured, was designed by Scott Bennett and Jeffrey Matthias using carbon fiber, reinforced concrete, walnut and plastic.
The Microstructures Adaptation Chair was designed by Joris Laarman using copper and a 3D-printed polyamide. More info
Also
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, 2017
Cost: 15 euros (about $16)
The Secret Garden: Symbols of Nature in Wood, Silver and Gold
What: An exhibition of furniture designed by Chinese artisans using natural materials
Where: Liang Yi Museum, Hong Kong
When: Through March 1, 2017
Cost: 200 Hong Kong dollars (about $26)
Also
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, 2017
Cost: 15 euros (about $16)
The Secret Garden: Symbols of Nature in Wood, Silver and Gold
What: An exhibition of furniture designed by Chinese artisans using natural materials
Where: Liang Yi Museum, Hong Kong
When: Through March 1, 2017
Cost: 200 Hong Kong dollars (about $26)
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Living in Victoria I have a seasons pass to Butchart's Gardens. They're amazing 12 months of the year. However, at Christmas they're spectacular!