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DESIGN QUEST DESIGN GALLERY - 2008 EXHIBITS
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TEXTILES BY ANNA ZAHARAAKOS & STUDIO Z — December 4, 2008 - January 31, 2009
Anna Zaharakos started her career in industrial design at Steelcase Inc. After five years working in both industrial and materials design, she formed a
partnership with German industrial designer, Wolfgang Mueller Deisig and began the textile aspect of her business, developing contract textiles for Woolrich, Mastercraft,
Guilford of Maine, and Intek. In 1988 she founded Studio Z, a local textile design company.
While known for her beautiful classic contract textiles, Zaharakos also wants to be known for her innovative product development using textiles in different ways. Inspired
by everything from dance to photography, she continually explores new outlets for her own creativity.
The Design Gallery at Design Quest is pleased to feature the works of Anna Zaharakos and her team at Studio Z. Featured pieces include large, woven art pieces that
imitate the mystery and mood of the original black and white photographs taken by her father in Europe after the second world war. Also featured: charming woven bags and shag
rugs created from recycled mill scraps.
Anna Zaharakos and Studio Z on display at Design Quest
Textile art, woven fabrics, pillows and rugs by the Studio Z team.
Anna Zaharakos and Studio Z on display at Design Quest
Textile art, woven fabrics, pillows and rugs by the Studio Z team.
First edition Studio Z Woven Art
A classic damask weave, woven (not printed) on jacquard looms in a simple black-and-white format and applied to large-scale photograph.
Jacqform™ Fabric-covered Chair and Izzy Pillow
Studio Z custom pillows using the trade-marked Jacqform process which significantly minimizes sewing but still allows customization and quality.
Trashy Goods
Pillows made from the leftover fabric and trimming off of the looms from the mill.
Trashy Goods
Fun and funky bags made from the leftover fabric and trimming off of the looms from the mill.
Close-up of first edition Studio Z Woven Art
Classic damask weave, woven (not printed) on jacquard looms in a simple black-and-white format and applied to large-scale photograph.
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DESIGN QUEST 2008 FURNITURE DESIGN COMPETITION — October 16 - November 30, 2008
This year's competition was a great success! We received many wonderful, functional, all-original designs. From this years 41 accepted entries:
21 were from Michigan, 8 were international and 12 from other states. To learn more about the Design Quest 2008 Furniture Competition, judges, entrants and to see more
images:
- View the Design Quest 2008 Furniture Competition Online Exhibit >
First Prize
'Breakplane' — Andy Kem, Kalamazoo, MI
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MODERN NOMAD: Featuring Fold-up Furniture and Essential Luxuries — August 30 - September 30, 2008
What things turn a bare room into a home?
The necessities are: a place to work, to eat, to sleep, and to relax. Also, our nomad needs to fit all his things into his pickup truck
or his SUV. He needs space for books and dishes, so he has a table top which he fastens to Abstracta shelving,
a system of tubes and connectors which can be taken apart. His straight chairs, including two for guests, are folding and if
needed can be used with chair covers for added elegance. All of his lamps are fold up. His rugs are flat woven. His large
wall pictures roll up. His TV stand has a metal frame that folds. His wonderful leather easy chair with footstool can be
folded flat. His bed is a bean bag- 7 foot diagonal length- which can be placed sideways and used as a two-seater when needed. His bedding is
beautifully coordinated with his pictures and his pillows.
His taste for simple elegance is satisfied with rich fabrics on pillows and table linens, warm colors, fine dishes, the perfect
vase for flowers and the right coffee maker.
The Modern Nomad's Living Space
The modern nomad has all he needs and can move at a moment's notice. Collapsible furniture, lamps, bed and mirror make "breaking camp" a snap.
Dining with Style
The collapsible Magis Transit Folding Cart offers a stylish serving table. Table Stories dishes designed by Tord Boontje for Artecnia, Washing Up Bowl and Brush by Ole Jensen.
A Collapsible Workspace
A Scanbirk desktop sits atop shelving by Abstracta that can be disassembled at a moment's notice.
A Comfortable Bed
Bedding by Marimekko, round table with casters by Kruger, bean bag bed by Fat Boy
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The Modern Nomad's Reading Area
The Siesta Chair by RYBO of Norway is easily disassembled as illustrated by pieces hanging on wall behind. Friends Table by Futura of Italy; Gloss Light by Pablo.
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The Dressing Area
Collapsible Trellis Mirror by Umbra.
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Expando Modular shelving unit by Jesper.
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BIRDS ON PARADE: THE ART OF BARBARA UHL — June 10 - August 17, 2008
"BIRDS ON PARADE" is the joyful creation of Barbara Uhl, well known Grand Rapids artist, recipient of awards from the
Muskegon Museum of Art and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Arts Council. She has exhibited
both solo and in groups since 1964. This solo collection includes bird collages created with hand-marbled paper (made by
artist), found object sculpture birds, stuffed hand-painted fabric birds, and gourd birds. A delightful exhibit that will
make you smile.
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Artist Barbara Uhl
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Driftwood Bird, 11x14", NFS
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Driftwood Bird, 11x14", NFS (detail view)
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Bearded Owl, 26x34", $700.00
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Strutter #Two , 30x49" (part of 3 piece set), $2000.00 for 3 pc. set
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Swan Ring, real gourds attached to a styrofoam ring, 16x10", NFS. Artist can create similar piece.
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Strutter #Three, 30x49", (part of 3 piece set), $2000.00 for 3 pc. set
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The Queen, 31x27", $650.00
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The Sentinel, 21x46", NFS (detail view)
My Bird, 27x40", NFS (detail view)
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Tri-Color Egret, 24x40", NFS
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The Beauty Queen, 26x42", $700.00
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Ring Neck Stork, 21x46", $700.00
Puddleduck, 29x26", $500.00
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DESIGN NOW: MAGIS INDOOR-OUTDOOR FURNITURE — April 16 - June 12, 2008
The Design Gallery exhibits designs by Magis, one of the biggest names in modern design known for pushing both
technological and design boundaries to create refreshing and functional modern furnishings. The Italian company Magis is one
step ahead of the present, already focused on the near future. Their collaboration represents a manifest result of wide-open
and multi layered design visions. Quality driven and priced accessibly, their products portray sophisticated industrial and
architectural techniques combined with user friendliness and familiarity.
Magis is the brand that has given a novel twist to domestic design, building its identity on incorporating leading edge
technology into mass production. Founded in 1976 in the bustling north eastern corner of Italy by a newcomer to the furniture business, Eugenio Perazza,
Magis is today a giant international design laboratory that constantly puts itself to the test, seeking technological
sophistication and employing a highly diversified workforce.
Magis seizes the day. It embraces the creativity of leading global designers (Richard Sapper, Jasper Morrison, Stefano
Giovannoni, Marc Newson, James Irvine, Konstantin Grcic, Ron Arad, the Bouroullecs and many others)and channels it towards
objects perched on the cutting edge.
The Design Gallery features designs by MAGIS
The stackable Magis Air Chair designed by Jasper Morrison, shown in foreground, comes in armed, armless and folding versions. Stacking YuYu stool shown in right foreground.
PUPPY by designer Eero Aarnio and JULIAN by Javier Mariscal
The Puppy and Julian are part of the new "Me Too" collection of children's furniture and accessories from Magis. Both items are constructed of hard polyethylene that is suitable for indoor or outdoor use as a sculpture, a toy, a small stool, whatever your imagination wants it to be.
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Chair One by Konstantin Grcic
The Chair One is one of the most original seating designs to come
along in years. Seat is die-cast aluminum, cataphoretically-treated and painted in red, white or anthracite
polyester powder.
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Tosca Chair by Richard Sapper
The Tosca Chair is a stacking chair suitable for indoor or outdoor usage. Available in 3 glossy colors (polyamide)
or 2 translucent colors (polycarbonate).
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Voido Rocking Chair designed by Ron Arad
The Voido Rocking Chair is light years away from your grandmother's stiff-backed
rocking chair. Made of polyethylene, the chair is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
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Striped Collection by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
The Striped Collection brings both color and comfort to your outdoor living with
this diverse collection of chairs, stools and lounges. Chaise Lounge and Poltroncina with arms shown.
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Easy Chair by Jerszy Seymour
The Easy Chair, featured in Metropolitan Home magazine, is a colorful and
comfortable stacking chair constructed of polypropylene with glass fiber added.
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MARVELOUS MARIMEKKO — February 11 - March 31, 2008
"After the war, I came down from Karelia, with only a gas mask and a raincoat. I wanted to lift the spirit of women
oppressed by wartime gloom. I wanted to print cotton fabric with bright colors and strong designs, good enough to dine with the
queen. And my models would be barefoot. We were new. We were tired of war. We wanted colors that would sing!"
- Armi Ratia, founder of Marimekko (in a conversation with Design Quest owners, Meg and Jorgen Sorensen, on their 1975 visit to the Marimekko factory in Helsinki).
Marimekko is, without doubt, one of the great success stories in the history of 20th- century design. Founded in 1951 by
the visionary textile designer Armi Ratia and her husband, Viljo, the company grew from a small textile-printing firm into
an international phenomenon and gave Finland a definitive presence on the world fashion stage. The exuberant colors
and accessible cuts of Marimekko clothing as well as bold patterns of their printed textiles became a national symbol of
a new optimism and equality in post-war Finland, and introduced a highly original vocabulary to the fields of fashion and
home design. Even more than sparking a revolution in printed textiles, Marimekko also introduced a groundbreaking
marketing concept, proposing a definition of fashion that embraced the entire home environment and set the precedent
for a lifestyle brand.
Marimekko, known for its innovative bold patterns and exuberant designs, has experienced a resurgence in popularity.
Originally introduced to the American audience in the late 1950's, Marimekko became extremely popular following a
December 1960 Sports Illustrated cover showing first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in a simple Marimekko cotton dress.
The same vivid colors and large scale patterns that helped Marimekko establish Finland as a source of cutting-edge
style are at the top of fashion once again.
The Design Gallery features Marvelous Marimekko
Marimekko fabric fashions from Finland on display in the Design Gallery, featuring powerful designs, intense color, internationally recognized style since 1950.
Jacqueline Kennedy in Marimekko dress.
Marimekko became extremely popular following a December 1960 Sports Illustrated cover showing first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in a simple Marimekko cotton dress.
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Marimekko bed and table linens
Marimekko's collection of bed and table linens contain patterns and colors for all tastes. There are romantic and ornamental prints, crisp geometric patterns, new designs, and classics.
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1970's child's jacket by Marimekko
Boldly patterned child's jacket worn by owners' children in early 1970's
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Historic fashions and current textile designs
Fabric and fashion design from past and present on display in the Design Gallery
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Marimekko popular Unikko print
Maija Isola's "Unikko", an upbeat pattern of interlocking poppies, is one of the most popular prints in Marimekko's history. Shown here on coffee mugs, trays, placemats and linens.
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Marimekko hanging textile
Historic 1970's Marimekko textile fabric on display.
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