San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts

 

Friday, November 5, 2010
Opening Reception - 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Art Museum

Herman Miller 1

SAN ANGELO MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS TO SHOW INNOVATIVE DESIGN EXHIBITION

November 5, 2010 – January 9, 2011

Good Design: Stories from Herman Miller which will open at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts on Friday, November 5, 2010 is a major survey of one of the most innovative design companies in America. Sponsored by The Beverly and Ben Stribling Special Exhibition Trust of the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts it is organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art, Michigan, in collaboration with The Henry Ford Museum of Dearborn, Michigan, through the generous support of Herman Miller, Inc.
Marshmallow Sofa
George Nelson for Herman Miller 1956
Photo courtesy of Muskegon Museum of Art
Herman Miller 2
Eames Lounge Chair Wood
Charles & Ray Eames
for Herman Miller 1946
Photo courtesy of Muskegon Museum of Art

Good Design: Stories from Herman Miller uses drawings, models, prototypes, photographs, oral histories, and original designed objects to showcase the creation and evolution of many masterpieces of 20th and 21st century design by such artists as Gilbert Rohde, Ray & Charles Eames, George Nelson, Alexander Girard, Robert Probst, Steve Frykholm, Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick, and others. 

The inspiration for the exhibition came from the recent book Herman Miller: the Purpose of Design by design scholar and authority John R. Berry, first published by Rizzoli International in 2004. A second edition with updated content was released to coincide with the exhibition’s opening at the Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) in 2009.  Mr. Berry also agreed to be the exhibition’s guest curator.  An extraordinary partnership with The Henry Ford made available the vast resources of that institution’s Herman Miller Design Collection, most of which has never before been on public view. Finally, Herman Miller agreed to underwrite the exhibition’s organization while affording the MMA the academic and esthetic freedom to critically explore its legacy.
Commenting on the idea behind the exhibition, Mr. Berry observed, “Many people are confused by the difference between art and design. Design is a noun, a verb, and a problem solving process.  It is art with a purpose.  Good design requires a clear understanding of the particular need, conditions, constraints, and opportunities.  Good design does not happen in a vacuum.”
“At Herman Miller, design is the means and the end,” said Berry. “It is the starting point and the destination. Since 1931, not long after its founding, Herman Miller had embraced design as a way to improve people’s lives, and through that goal, they created new industries and some of the most iconic objects of the last century.  Charles and Ray Eames’s molded plywood Lounge Chair, George Nelson’s Marshmallow Sofa, and Bill Stumpf and Don Chadwick’s Aeron Chair which populates so many offices today, are all products of Herman Miller, Inc.”
The exhibition displays will be arranged to present viewers with four case studies—“stories”—chosen to embody four different active characteristics of “good design,” as a result of the problem-solving ethos of Herman Miller, Inc.  Mr. Berry explained the organization of the exhibition: “Each object grouping started with identifying a need—to furnish a new type of living space, for healthier seating, to effectively communicate a message, or to support new kinds of work.”

Howard Taylor, director at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts states, “We are very excited to offer our visitors this unique opportunity to view the evolution of design, especially in the work place.  Herman Miller is historically recognized as a company offering innovative design in the office place that continues to this day.  We feel this exhibit exemplifies the museum’s mission to show that art and good design are an integral part of everyone’s life.” 
In conjunction with the exhibition there will numerous program events related to the design theme, and numerous educational opportunities for both children and adults. 

Good Design: Stories from Herman Miller will continue at the Art Museum through January 9, 2011.  The museum’s regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.  A special admission price for this exhibition only is $5 for adults and $4 for senior citizens.  ASU and SAISD students are admitted free as well as museum members and military personnel.  For more information about the exhibition call the Art Museum at (325) 653-3333