Celebrating Mid-Century Modern
September 9, 16, 23, 30 . Sundays | 2 pm
Mid-Century Modern design has grown in popularity with 1930s to 1960s icons now easily found in mainstream culture. From both an historical and pop-culture context, mid-century design has become a celebrated era as we rethink our spaces, and consider the value of preserving the architecture and design of our past. Most recently, the award winning AMC drama Mad Men has popularized this era to an entirely new audience featuring designs by icons in the industry such as Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Giancarlo Mattioli, Florence Knoll and Wallace Harrison. There are now countless resources on the web dedicated to bringing mid-century modern into your home and office. This series will explore mid-century modern design at its roots, how it was received when it was originally introduced, and how to begin or expand your own mid-century modern collection.
@ 431 South Main Street #101
cost: $30 per lecture
series cost: $100
reservations or questions: 901.525.3818
limited seating
September 9 . Sunday | 2 pm
Modernism for Everyday Living
Presented by Alison DiMola, Architecture and Design Manager, Knoll
The 1939 World’s Fair in New York City introduced many new products and ideas about the future of the American home, promoting industrial design and new materials. But where could the average consumer touch, feel and buy modern design? And how could they learn how to choose, and use, the revolutionary new shapes, products and appliances? Explore how modern design was popularized for the American consumer, and learn about the diverse career of a pioneering designer and proponent, Russel Wright.
September 16 . Sunday | 2 pm
The Cranbrook Academy of Art and American Modernism
Presented by Cherie Hoffman, Architecture and Design Manager, Knoll
What inspired American Modernism? This talk will focus on The Cranbrook Academy of Art which has been home to some of the world’s most renowned designers and artists for over 80 years. As one of the few institutions that offered instruction in design during the 1920s and 30s, its influence on postwar American modernism was crucial: wide and deep. We will explore Cranbrook’s modern architectural influences, its design and leadership, and the first generation of modernist designers. Like the architectural movements of the past, we will also see how Modernism influenced styles to follow.
September 23 . Sunday | 2 pm
Modern Textiles in America
Presented by Heather Hall-Leopold, KnollTextiles
From furniture to accessories, textiles have defined stylistic shifts in the home as changing times and developing technologies inspired new fabrics, colors, and patterns. This talk will explore the development of post-war modern textiles in the US, leading mid-century designers, and the modern textile movement that turned away from the conventional weaves of the post-war period.
September 30 . Sunday | 2 pm
Collecting Mid-Century Modern
Whether you are looking for that one perfect piece, or are interested in collecting, our final lecture will provide insight into where to look for vintage and authorized re-releases, how to avoid the knockoffs, and what to consider before you invest.
Celebrating Mid-Century Modern is sponsored by
