Designs by Michael Cross

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Resting Places Living Things: Designs by Michael Cross

October 18, 2008—April 5, 2009

Location: Bloch Building, Gallery L8

Michael Cross, an acclaimed British designer, will have his first American exhibition when Resting Places Living Things: Designs by Michael Cross opens in the Bloch Building. Cross will utilize the Project Space in ways that will challenge its parameters: the wooden floor will feature hills and valleys, a chair will respond to a visitor’s approach, tree branches will support books, and walls will become resting places.

Cross is known for designs that strip away viewer’s preconceptions and deliberately confound expectations. He seeks new ways of seeing things by getting rid of what you know and starting again. In this approach, there is an element of willful innocence.

Trained as a product designer, all of Cross’ experimental designs can be industrially manufactured and then used in everyday situations. He uses the gallery as a design laboratory, an environment where experimental forms of objects can be nurtured into life and then studied for characteristics that can be transplanted into the wider world. Visitor participation is encouraged.

Free admission, no exhibition tickets required.

Artist's Talk
Resting, Living, Making, Being: Michael Cross and Contemporary Design
7 — 8 pm, Friday, Oct. 17
Atkins Auditorium
Free; tickets required

This exhibition is supported by the Campbell-Calvin Fund and Elizabeth C. Bonner Charitable Trust for exhibitions. Midwest Airlines is the official airline sponsor.