DesignPhiladelphia celebrates art and architecture

By Jen McShane
Collegian Staff
April 4, 2007

Philadelphia is renowned for its arts and its contemporary design artists. However, sometimes new artists are not as well known as others. To celebrate the design, arts and culture of our fair city, there is DesignPhiladelphia, devoted to teaching the Philadelphia community about the arts in the city.

From April 12-22, there will be more than 50 events scheduled citywide, including tours of Philadelphia artists’ studios (in all mediums, such as painting and photography), book signings, art-based parties, workshops and public lectures.

DesignPhiladelphia was started in 2005 and is getting ready to kick off its third year, celebrating the city’s “contemporary significance as a center for advancement in the design disciplines.” All events during this week are art-centered; however, art involves many things. During DesignPhiladelphia, there will be events involving architecture, interior design, fashion, landscape design and graphic design.

While traveling Philadelphia, did you ever realize how the city is mapped out in shapes, such as circles and squares? During the entire week, students enrolled in design programs from seven colleges citywide will use this idea to explore and demonstrate the history of Philadelphia and possibly its future. The exhibition resulting from these students’ study of geographic shapes in an urban environment is located at the Marketplace Design center and is free with a reception April 12. The students’ work will be on display from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. April 12 and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 13.

In the city, there are some neighborhoods that are in deteriorating condition, and there are abandoned buildings. However, the Community Design Collaborative along with Philadelphia Local Initiatives Support Corporation will show the final design proposals for how three local design firms plan to use old buildings, enhance them and make them successful. At the Independence Visitor Center Ballroom, these groups will present their ideas for the renovation of a bar and abandoned theater to improve the city as part of a project called Infill Philadelphia. This event is free with a reception Wednesday, April 18, but anyone interested in attending must RSVP before April 11.

If you admire the Gothic artwork on many churches and buildings, then the Gargoyles Gallery on North Third Street may be a place to check out. On Wednesday, April 18, the Gallery is sponsoring a free open house from 4-9 p.m. Along with gargoyle-inspired artwork, the gallery also features interior design elements, paintings and eclectic décor.

If you are more into colors, then Simply Red at the Fabric Workshop and Museum on Cherry Street is the place for you. Simply Red runs from April 7 through May 15 and is a discussion of how a single color, such as red, can have an effect on design and art. The exhibit uses works from the Fabric Workshop’s collection, as well as the Philadelphia Museum of Art as examples.

Abstract art is an extremely interesting discipline of art to study. At the Liberty Place Shops, CanStruction is holding a competition between prominent city architects, engineers, contractors and designers to design and create a structure made entirely of canned foods. CanStruction is committed to ending hunger one can at a time, and all proceeds from the competition will be donated to Philabundance. The competition runs from April 14-22. Winners will be awarded at 8 p.m. April 21. This event is free, and information about making can donations can be found at www.canstruction.org

While the good weather holds, get out and explore the design and architecture in Philadelphia.

mcshanej2@lasalle.edu