Philly = Art + Architecture + Design

If you look back into the archives of this blog, you’ll find it all started as a way for me to learn about Design in Philadelphia. I explored and attended events. I took pictures and made friends, connections, colleagues… I volunteered. And I got one, two, three, four jobs in art, design, and marketing. (Sometimes all three at once.) I wrote about art, architecture, design, events, people: Urban Outfitter’s Terrain at Styers, Inga Saffron, Paine’s Park Project, The American Commerce Center, Field Operations‘ Race Street Pier, The Office of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy, ICFF, and more. And sometimes, for long periods of time, I didn’t write anything at all. But I never stopped exploring and learning. And you should too.

Philly’s got contemporary art and design for days, plus the standard of living to actually survive as a creative person. Close enough to NYC to drop in and explore but far enough away not to become world-weary and exploited. Outdoorsy with the largest urban park in the world right there. A forward-thinking administration that’s really changing things and putting the city back on track. New projects and buildings and parks and museums and restaurants too. And I’m not even going to start on your food. (But seriously, eat your weight in sandwiches- not one place the world over makes them as good).

Get out there, see things, do things. It’s a great big wonderful world and damnit if Philly’s one of the best places to be. (But you don’t need me to tell you that, do you?) After over a year away I still miss everything the gritty burg has to offer. I’ll be back time and again, likely one day for good too- how could I not? Philly will always be my home town.

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Update 02.05.13 I’m starting a new venture at www.kevinderrick.com and wanted to check in here one last time. Ater many months away I’m happy to see there’s still some decent traffic and people are exploring Philly to its fullest. Good stuff.

DesignPhiladelphia–Day Two

Last night’s DesignPhiladelphia’s 2011 Kick-Off Party was one to remember.The street was filled with excitement: openings at The Liao Collection, Vox Populi, The Action Mill and Grizzly Grizzly gallery. Glowing signage, the trestle light projection show and food trucks lined the streets. The Liao Collection, photo by Jamie Newkirk projections by Klip Collective, photo by Jamie Newkirk The Action Mill, photo by Jamie Newkirk  The University of the Arts president Sean Buffington, DesignPhiladelphia executive director Hilary Jay, Mayor Michael A. Nutter, photo by Jason Chen   Mayor Michael A. Nutter, photo by Jason Chen Most exciting of all, Michael A. Nutter was awarded the first annual Design Champion award. Accepting the award, Mayor Nutter said, “Design matters, it really does. It’s really about space, it’s about buildings, it’s about fabric, it’s about music, it’s about how things look, and how we react to them. And they’re going to be around for a long long period of time, way after my time in office, and for many of us, way after our time even on this planet. So, what we do and how we do it actually does matter.” Today’s Highlights October 14, 2011   Meet the Designer The PA East Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers Marketplace Design Center, 2400 Market Street Friday October 14, 2011 11am-3pm Join us for Meet the Designer amidst a showcase of entries and winners for the Philadelphia Interior Design Awards that will be on display at the Marketplace Design Center from October 7-23, 2011. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.asidpaeast.org Alexis BittarCocktails + Conversation Scarlett Alley, 241 Race Street 5pm-8pm Showcasing three distinct jewelry collections for FALL 2011. LUCITE, hand-sculpted and hand-painted, ELEMENTS, slightly bohemian using semi-precious stones, MISS HAVISHAM, a sculptural line with custom cut stone and crystals. Learn about Alexis’ journey from the streets of SOHO to recipient of the Council of Fashion Designers Accessory Designer of the Year. A highly controlled seven-step process is revealed, creating bold design inspired by antiques, Art Deco Bakelite and Lalique glass. Sparkling specials this evening only. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.scarletalley.com DuPont™Corian® Dialogues on Design Rama Chorpash: The International and Unexpected Life of Products and By-Products Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch Street Friday October 14, 2011 6pm Rama Chorpash focuses on the exchange between people and everyday things. Embedded in each design is an exploration of social use and the interactions they cause. His work has been widely published, from The New York Times Style Magazine to Metropolis, and his projects have been exhibited coast to coast, from theMuseum of Modern Art to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and internationally, from Portugal’s Bienal da Prata to Switzerland’s Design Miami/Art Basel Fair. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.designphiladelphia.org   BetterBlocksPhilly Opening Celebration South of South Neighborhood Association, WRT, Brown & Keener  17th to 18th Streets, Christian to Catherine Streets Friday October 14, 2011 6pm-10pm Join BetterBlocksPhilly for a week-long block party celebrating musical performances, art and design exhibitions, workshops, presentations, vendors and pop-up shops. BetterBlocksPhilly is a living/functioning exhibit of temporarily installed Complete/Green Street concepts, fostering a safer pedestrian environment. The intention is to educate citizens while gaining city-wide attention of innovative traffic calming measures – to help implement projects that will evolve Philadelphia’s neighborhood design ideology. In partnership with Brown & Keener Urban Design, and Wallace Roberts & Todd. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.   Dwell Studio Furniture Gallery Opening Dane Decor 315 Arch Street Friday October 14, 2011 6pm-9pm Launch party for the new DwellStudio Furniture Collection. Dwell Studio enters the furniture world for the first time with its mid-century modern collection that “amps up the luxe and glamour factor.” Christiane Lemeiux, Founder and Creative Director of DwellStudio, will be signing her new book Undecorate: The No-rules Approach to Interior Design. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.danedecor.com Open House Poliform 120 North Third Street Friday October 14, 2011 6pm-9pm Please tour our kitchens and closets, as well as tour Northern Italy by sampling the regional wine and cheese we’ll be serving. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.poliformphiladelphia.com   State of Young Philly Final Showcase & Reception Young Involved Philadelphia University of the Arts, Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad Street Friday October 14, 2011 6pm-9:30pm This year’s State of Young Philly event series will focus on ‘Building our Future’ in the following areas: Education, Creative Economy, Planning & Sustainability, and Community Engagement. At the final reception and showcase, we will hear results and next steps from the series. Network with hundreds of other young professionals. Hosted by Young Involved Philadelphia, whose work is to build relationships and increase civic engagement to empower and connect young Philadelphians. Wheelchair accessible. Admission: 2 for $20, $15 in advance, $20 at the door http://www.yiphilly.org Shift Space Design Pop-up shop Reception Shift Space Design October 14, 6pm-8pm Plants Etc. 2313 Fairmount Avenue Our products will be sold exclusively to the public during pop up shop events, where you will meet the designers and see our latest projects exhibited. SHIFT_DESIGN creates using features of mass customization, flat pack shipping and material engineering. This reinforces our environmental mission, which promotes local manufacturing, waste-reduction methods and long product life-cycles. Through a blend of precision technologies and traditional fabrication, our outdoor products facilitate a way of living that brings sustainable practices into daily life. Follow our tweets@SHIFT_DESIGN for updated locations. http://www.shiftspacedesign.com Brilliant Simplicity Moore College of Art & Design 20th Street & The Parkway Friday October 14, 2011 6:30pm Moore College of Art & Design and Metropolis magazine present a conversation with Editor-In-Chief Susan Szenasy and leading Philadelphia designers on the need for research in design. Szenasy will screen Brilliant Simplicity: 15 Designers Research Collaborate Innovate, a short film tracing new ideas, from inspiration to prototype, telling the stories of designers at work on making our world more energy efficient and healthy. Designers will be challenged to consider new approaches in their own work. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.moore.edu Keith Johnson: Design Around the World Anthropologie 1801 Walnut Street Friday October 14, 2011 6:30pm-7:30pm Join Anthropologie art and antiques buyer and “Man Shops Globe” host, Keith Johnson, for a home design discussion and walk-through of found objects around the world. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. RSVP anthroevents@anthropologie.com http://www.anthropologie.com Next? Minima 118 N 3rd Street Friday October 14, 2011 7pm-10pm What is next on the design front? Step right up and you will see the greatest design show on earth. From the four corners of this world, objects handcrafted yet thoroughly in tune with today’s design trends and ready for devouring by those starved for the work of the human hand. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.minima.us And while you’re at it…make sure to check out:   Treasure Hunt ongoing, citywide Organized by the CandyCoated Center, a citywide treasure hunt of glimmering collaborations in decorative design featuring “table.wear” and “Sugar Walls”. In “table.wear”, Candy Depew collaborates with chef Tony Aiazzi of the Workshop Kitchen in the art of food presentation. Candy’s signature imagery on porcelain dinnerware is graced with Tony’s skill designing menus and styling culinary delights. Posh local eateries will display tantalizing photos of this delicious teamwork. Click here to find a map to these treasures and more. Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible. http://www.theworkshopkitchen.com  Look out for tomorrow’s list of wonderful ways to spend your day.     Make sure to visit www.designphiladelphia.org for the most up to date events calendar.

DesignPhiladelphia 2011

Now running in its seventh year! Grab your handy guidebook and get ready for 11 days of over 150 great events. In this year’s lineup we have exhibitions, workshops, street happenings, open studios, lectures, and more. 

Feeling a little overwhelmed (with excitement)? Search our event calendar word cloud for specific interests. Or, visit our DesignLounge – information central – at The Center for Architecture where you will find DP guidebooks, tshirts, umbrellas and volunteers who can help point you in the right direction.

Today’s Highlights

October 13, 2011

 

DesignPhiladelphia’s KICK-OFF

300 block of North 11th Street

Thursday October 13, 2011

Join us for an evening of parties, performance and panache under the Reading Viaduct in the Callowhill Loft District. 

STOP 1: The Liao Collection Benefit & Award Presentation

310 North 11th Street

Thursday October 13, 2011

6pm-7:30pm

The evening begins at the Liao Collection, an Asian antique emporium, with a benefit party for DesignPhiladelphia. We’ll be presenting the first annual Design Champion Award to Mayor Michael A. Nutter for his unwavering support of the regional creative community and for his initiatives to encourage innovative design solutions to improving and greening the urban environment.

$50 per person

http://www.designphiladelphia.ticketleap.com/VIP

STOP 2: Vox Populi, Grizzly Grizzly Gallery and The Action Mill

319 North 11th Street

Thursday October 13, 2011

7pm-9pm

Gallery openings inside, fanciful food trucks and atmospheric projections by Klip Collective outside.

Free and open to the public.

STOP 3: The Trestle Inn

339 North 11th Street

Thursday October 13, 2011

Doors open at 7pm, Performance at 8pm

“Curlie Show” – the flirtatious design of burlesque hair styles featuring Richard Nicholas Hair Studio.

Free and open to the public.

Sherwin-Williams Colormix 2012

Marketplace Design Center

2400 Market Street, Grand Hall, 4th Floor

Thursday October 13, 2011

11am

An elemental journey for interior designers presented by Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams Director of Color Marketing & Design. Color is always on the move, and right now, we’re exploring its origins. Colormix™2012 surveys the landscape to find core palettes inspired by Mother Earth. 0.1 CEU pending approval. Light lunch & meet & greet following the event in Suite 224. In partnership with Sherwin-Williams and Robert Allen/Beacon Hill Fabrics.

Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.

RSVP 215-561-5000 or dgreen@marketplacedc.com

http://www.marketplacedc.com

 

Design Saves Lives Morihata

428 N. 13th St. Suite 2C

Thursday October 13, 2011

11am-5:30pm

Lifestyle retailer, Morihata, is participating in “Design Saves Lives” fundraising for Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief. During DesignPhiladelphia week, 10% of your purchase will be donated toward the relief effort. Represented products are Yoshii Towel, super soft, lightweight, colorful & water absorbent towel designed by Maho Mukai; paper thin wooden cup & brass tableware products designed by Oji Masonori; Binchotan Charcoal facial puff, soap & toothbrush. Our products have been featured in Elle Décor, House Beautiful and InStyle magazines. Open October 13-15 & 18-22, weekdays 11am-5:30pm weekends 10:30pm-2:30pm.

Free and open to the public.

http://www.morihata.com

Jewelry Making Demonstration

Bluestone Fine Art Gallery

301 N. 3rd Street A1

Thursday October 13, 2011

11am-4pm

Brooke Hine is a ceramic sculptor, installation artist and independent curator living and working in Philadelphia. Jewelry is a new direction for her; the amulets look like they’re from part of a larger sculpture. The natural shapes and neutral tones are simple yet sophisticated. Additional demonstration on October 23. 11am-4pm.

Free and open to the public.

http://www.bluestone-gallery.com

The Height of Luxury: The Rise of Art Deco and Haute Couture

Marketplace Design Center

2400 Market St, Grand Hall, 4th Floor

Thursday October 13, 2011

2pm

Drawing on his background in cultural history, James Caughman tells the exciting story of creative development in Paris in the first three decades of the 20th century. Paris was the crucible in the development of modern art and this atmosphere propelled experimentation and innovation coexisting with a classic spirit. Art Deco and haute couture both flourished in these years and the designs of this period remain legacies that resonate strongly today. Reception following the event in Suite 112. In partnership with Baker, Knapp & Tubbs.

RSVP 215-561-5000 or dgreen@marketplacedc.com

Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.

http://www.marketplacedc.com

Soaring and Submersive P1: A Citywide Gardenpark

VIADUCTgreene and Reading Viaduct Project

FACTS Charter School, 1023 Callowhill Street

Thursday October 13, 2011

5pm-6pm

Join a conversation about transforming three miles of abandoned rail beds – 30 feet above and 30 feet below street level – into Philadelphia’s newest park. Explore the opportunities presented by this project, including the site’s rich historical, horticultural, and civic assets. Learn why this project, unique to Philadelphia, will be transformative for the city. In partnership with Metcalfe Architecture & Design.

Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.

http://www.viaductgreene.org

http://www.readingviaductproject.org

Penmanship

Vox Populi

319 N. 11th Street, Third Floor

Thursday October 13, 2011

6pm-9pm

An exhibition of works by 35 Philadelphia-based graphic designers curated by Dan Gneiding, Elysse Ricci, and Mikey Burton. Penmanship, the exhibition, is a product the idea that ones penmanship is a window into his or her character. A selection of local artists employ their inherent typographic instincts to create black and white prints. Born of a similar idea, the letterforms within the finished pieces are differentiated by shape, scale, contrast, manipulation and layering. A study of personal touch and distinction, the works you’ll see are a clear reflection of individual aesthetic. Running October 13-23, 2011.

Free and open to the public.

http://www.voxpopuligallery.org

The Architect and The Painter

Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design at Drexel University

Mitchell Auditorium, Bossone Research Center, 3140 Market Street

Thursday October 13, 2011

7pm

The Architect and The Painter is the first film about Charles and Ray Eames since their deaths and the only film to peer into their collaboration, their marriage and their “Renaissance Studio.” Narrated by James Franco, the film draws from archival material, primarily the stunning films and photographs produced by Charles, Ray, and their staff. Family members and design historians guide the story, but it is in interviews with the junior designers swept into the “24-7″ world of “The Eamery” that a fascinatingly complex picture of this husband and wife creative team really emerges.

Free and open to the public. Wheelchair accessible.

http://www.drexel.edu/westphal

Future Meadows

The Action Mill

319 A N. 11th St., Fourth Floor

Thursday October 13, 2011

7pm-10pm

Crickets, butterflies, mourning doves, goldenrod, pawlonia trees, mullein… The Reading Viaduct meadows are already an important part of a much larger living ecosystem of Philadelphia that includes several miles of naturally occurring grasses, perennials and shrubs running throughout the city. The Action Mill teams up with landscape designer Margie Ruddick to discover the meadows along the viaduct with the goal of provoking the public to become stewards of this network of marvelous urban wilds. We invite you to come collect a specially crafted boutonniere made from harvested pioneer plants and learn about the value of urban plant succession while helping to disperse (literally) the seeds to cultivate future meadows.

Free and open to the public.

http://www.actionmill.com

Patrick Gavin

Grizzly Grizzly Gallery

319 N. 11th Street, Second Floor

Thursday October 13, 2011

7pm-9pm

Patrick Gavin designs objects that investigate use and purpose. This instigates a situation of determined interaction between object and user, revealing a greater interest in spatial boundaries, object typologies and industrial production. Patrick Gavin is a Philadelphia native, now living in Brooklyn, NY where his studio is also based. He holds a MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a BFA from RISD. Gallery open weekends 2pm-6pm.

Free and open to the public.

http://www.grizzlygrizzly.com 

Tomorrow will be an exciting day filled with hands-on workshops including letterpress, custom books, jewelry making, natural fabric printing and more!

 

Be sure to check out www.designphiladelphia.org for the most up-to-date calendar of events.