LOS ANGELES – August 2011 – Scion presents ‘‘A Product of Design’’ curated by Gluekit. The exhibition features a selection of products by nine designers.
Showcasing designers whose passion projects have taken shape in an array of products, this exhibition spotlights the blurred line between product and art object, and between collectibility and function. "A Product of Design" celebrates a cross-section of companies and individuals whose work is graphic and inspiring.
The featured designers are: The Solitary Arts, Andy Mueller (The Quiet Life), Peter Buchanan-Smith (Best Made Co.), Colophon Foundry, Various Projects, Hugo & Marie, Booji, Ben Blanc Studio, and JB Lab.
The opening reception takes place on Saturday, September 17th, 7 – 10 p.m. at Scion Installation L.A., 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232. RSVP is encouraged for the opening night reception at: www.scionav.com/space. There will be complimentary valet parking and an open bar with artists in attendance. The exhibition will run until October 8th, 2011.
About The Curator
Gluekit is the moniker of American designers Christopher Sleboda and Kathleen Sleboda used for their collaborative projects. Since 2002, Gluekit’s award-winning work has been featured in hundreds of magazines around the world and more than a dozen books about design and illustration. The duo was featured on the cover of Print magazine in 2008, and in addition to creating art for the covers of dozens of magazines, the pair have produced graphics for book covers, theatre productions, and television. Their self-initiated projects are an important part of their practice; these range from experimental photo collages and typographic explorations to the creation and curation of various product lines. In 2007, Gluekit launched Part of It, an online boutique which offers a curated selection of products with proceeds going towards artist-selected charities. More recently, the pair designed steel bookends that mark Gluekit’s foray into metal fabrication. Gluekit’s work has appeared in exhibitions in Japan, Sweden, the UK, New York and Los Angeles.
About The Artists
The Quiet Life (Andy Mueller)
Andy Mueller was raised in the midwest on a healthy diet of BMX, skateboarding, music and magazines. At an early age, Andy became addicted to the art of image making and photo taking. In 1993, Mueller founded OhioGirl, a small design/photo/film studio, whose clients include Burton Snowboards, RCA Records, Capitol Records, Jade Tree Records and Thrill Jockey Records. In 1999, Andy relocated again, this time to California to become art director for Girl Skateboard's shoe company, Lakai Limited Footwear where he is a member of the infamous Art Dump. In his free time he continues to do freelance projects under the name OhioGirl, and operates a t-shirt/clothing line called The Quiet Life. Much of Mueller’s work has appeared in graphic design annuals and books, as well as aired on MTV, and published in numerous magazines. Mueller has shown his artwork in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia, and Canada. http://www.thequietlife.com / http://www.andymueller.com
Ben Blanc Studio
Ben Blanc is an American born artist and designer engaged in the ongoing conversation between the work of fine art and design. In his current series, Blanc uses steel, lines, and geometric forms to translate ideas into physical space, creating complex structures that exist to challenge concepts of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional space. Moments are flattened, while space is expanded and transformed. What results are works that demand a visual engagement that employs the viewers’ own physical presence.
Blanc’s works have been exhibited at Salone Internazionale de Mobile in Milan, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York, the Wood Turning Center in Philadelphia, Edith Gallery in Koln, Germany, Ohio Museum of Craft, the Max Lang and CITE Galleries in New York. Most recently Blanc debuted new work in his first solo exhibition at the Louis project space in Boston, MA. His works have been featured in numerous design publications including the New York Times, Dwell, Metropolitan Home, MacAddict, Monument, Casa, and Elle Décor.
In addition to his studio work, Blanc continues his role as visiting faculty and critic at the Rhode Island School of Design.
http://www.benblanc.com/
Booji
In a world of infinite sneakers, it’s surprising there aren’t a lot of kicks ladies can relate to. It’s this frustration that ignited Miss MDot to create classics with a twist. Booji is an independent footwear and accessories line, that not only produces innovative shoes, but also focuses on using animal friendly materials and green responsible products, always aware of their carbon footprint. The end result is footwear to compliment a look or to wear as a tried and true staple.
Prior to Booji, MDot co-designed and managed the daily operations at JB Classics. Her constant craving for something different and her ‘think outside the (shoe)box’ design aesthetic led her to finally step out in a pair of her own Booji sneakers.
http://www.boojihouse.com/
Colophon Foundry
Colophon is an independent type foundry set up by Brighton based design studio, The Entente (Anthony Sheret & Edd Harrington). As well as distributing and acting as a platform for fonts designed by The Entente, it selects fonts designed by other designers to distribute and create products for.
Working in a similar way to that of publishers, some typefaces that are released by Colophon will be in a limited edition. These fonts will be unique in its edition, ranging from 50–500.
Colophon also offers a selection of specimen books and a range of miscellaneous products, some of which are produced in collaboration with designer Benjamin Critton. These are all produced in a limited edition.
http://www.colophon-foundry.org / http://www.the-entente.org
Hugo & Marie
Hugo & Marie is an imaginative creative agency specializing in artist management. They work with talented creatives who each share the compulsion to speak in the wonderful, nuanced vocabulary of visual media. Their dedication is direction, design, illustration, interactive, and representation services to bring all manner of projects about. The boutique was opened in 2010 and created as a platform to curate, promote, and facilitate the development of products by artists they love and admire. Hugo & Marie was founded in early 2008 by Mario Hugo and Jennifer Marie Sims.
http://www.hugoandmarie.com/
JB Lab
Established in the winter of 2001 in San Francisco CA, JB Classics is known as the punk band of the footwear industry & corner stone of the independent footwear market. Founder Jason Bass had noticed a void in the footwear industry. The lack of personality and added details in current footwear encouraged him to start his journey in the world of design.
http://www.jasonbass.net / http://www.suite2206.com
Best Made Company (Peter Buchanan-Smith)
Peter Buchanan-Smith is a New York–based designer, author, and entrepreneur whose career has included art direction of the New York Times; creative direction for Paper magazine; and work for fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi, musical legends David Byrne, Brian Eno, Philip Glass, and the band Wilco. He is the author of several books, including The Wilco Book, and he has collaborated on many others, including Strunk and White’s classic The Elements of Style with illustrator Maira Kalman. His first tome, Speck: A Curious Collection of Uncommon Things explores the fascinating lives of ordinary people and commonplace objects. This connection between people and objects is also at the heart of Buchanan-Smith’s most recent venture, Best Made Co., a purveyor of finely crafted tools and an entrée into the symbolic world they conjure.
http://www.bestmadeco.com / http://buchanansmith.com
The Solitary Arts
The Solitary Arts is operated by Yong-Ki Chang, with artwork by Geoff McFetridge. From 2005 to 2010, Yong-Ki owned and curated 3131 Gallery in San Francisco with exhibitions with Stereo Skateboards (15 Year Anniversary retrospective) to installations by photographer Tobin Yelland and artist Todd Francis. Yong-Ki currently operates the day to day marketing, branding and overall operations for the Solitary Arts Skateboard Company in addition to building every board by hand out of his studio in the Bay Area.
http://www.solitaryarts.com
Various Projects
Elizabeth Beer & Brian Janusiak formed Various Projects, as a multidisciplinary design collaboration in 2005. The idea was to create a space that was an outlet for things they made but also to be a place to showcase works, by designers/artists, that might be outside of their main occupation; Digressions. Having a retail space was a chance for the design studio, Various Projects, to experiment with some themes that reoccurred in their own work: concerns with distribution, collaboration, digression and the creation of fluctuating communities.
http://www.various-projects.com / http://www.projectno8.com
More information on this, and past exhibitions is available at www.scionav.com/art
About Scion Installation L.A.
Dedicated to fostering independent artistic expression, Scion Installation L.A. is space that allows artists to explore their creative visions. Scion Installation L.A. hosts art shows and art-related events for cutting-edge contemporary artists from across the globe. One-hundred percent of all sales go directly to the artists. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and by appointment: 310.815.8840.
About Scion
Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind. Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The brand features three groundbreaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle and the tC sports coupe. Scion launches the all-new, premium micro-subcompact iQ in 2011. The Scion brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community. For more information, visit www.scion.com.
Scion Installation LA Public Relations
Evan Cerasoli
T: 949.660.7972
evan@beyondmg.com
Scion Public Relations
Craig Taguchi
T: 310.468.3282
craig_taguchi@scion.com
Scion Installation Space
3521 Helms Avenue
Culver City, CA 90232
T: 310.815.8840
www.scionav.com/space
Showcasing designers whose passion projects have taken shape in an array of products, this exhibition spotlights the blurred line between product and art object, and between collectibility and function. "A Product of Design" celebrates a cross-section of companies and individuals whose work is graphic and inspiring.
The featured designers are: The Solitary Arts, Andy Mueller (The Quiet Life), Peter Buchanan-Smith (Best Made Co.), Colophon Foundry, Various Projects, Hugo & Marie, Booji, Ben Blanc Studio, and JB Lab.
The opening reception takes place on Saturday, September 17th, 7 – 10 p.m. at Scion Installation L.A., 3521 Helms Ave. (at National), Culver City, CA 90232. RSVP is encouraged for the opening night reception at: www.scionav.com/space. There will be complimentary valet parking and an open bar with artists in attendance. The exhibition will run until October 8th, 2011.
About The Curator
Gluekit is the moniker of American designers Christopher Sleboda and Kathleen Sleboda used for their collaborative projects. Since 2002, Gluekit’s award-winning work has been featured in hundreds of magazines around the world and more than a dozen books about design and illustration. The duo was featured on the cover of Print magazine in 2008, and in addition to creating art for the covers of dozens of magazines, the pair have produced graphics for book covers, theatre productions, and television. Their self-initiated projects are an important part of their practice; these range from experimental photo collages and typographic explorations to the creation and curation of various product lines. In 2007, Gluekit launched Part of It, an online boutique which offers a curated selection of products with proceeds going towards artist-selected charities. More recently, the pair designed steel bookends that mark Gluekit’s foray into metal fabrication. Gluekit’s work has appeared in exhibitions in Japan, Sweden, the UK, New York and Los Angeles.
About The Artists
The Quiet Life (Andy Mueller)
Andy Mueller was raised in the midwest on a healthy diet of BMX, skateboarding, music and magazines. At an early age, Andy became addicted to the art of image making and photo taking. In 1993, Mueller founded OhioGirl, a small design/photo/film studio, whose clients include Burton Snowboards, RCA Records, Capitol Records, Jade Tree Records and Thrill Jockey Records. In 1999, Andy relocated again, this time to California to become art director for Girl Skateboard's shoe company, Lakai Limited Footwear where he is a member of the infamous Art Dump. In his free time he continues to do freelance projects under the name OhioGirl, and operates a t-shirt/clothing line called The Quiet Life. Much of Mueller’s work has appeared in graphic design annuals and books, as well as aired on MTV, and published in numerous magazines. Mueller has shown his artwork in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia, and Canada. http://www.thequietlife.com / http://www.andymueller.com
Ben Blanc Studio
Ben Blanc is an American born artist and designer engaged in the ongoing conversation between the work of fine art and design. In his current series, Blanc uses steel, lines, and geometric forms to translate ideas into physical space, creating complex structures that exist to challenge concepts of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional space. Moments are flattened, while space is expanded and transformed. What results are works that demand a visual engagement that employs the viewers’ own physical presence.
Blanc’s works have been exhibited at Salone Internazionale de Mobile in Milan, the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in New York, the Wood Turning Center in Philadelphia, Edith Gallery in Koln, Germany, Ohio Museum of Craft, the Max Lang and CITE Galleries in New York. Most recently Blanc debuted new work in his first solo exhibition at the Louis project space in Boston, MA. His works have been featured in numerous design publications including the New York Times, Dwell, Metropolitan Home, MacAddict, Monument, Casa, and Elle Décor.
In addition to his studio work, Blanc continues his role as visiting faculty and critic at the Rhode Island School of Design.
http://www.benblanc.com/
Booji
In a world of infinite sneakers, it’s surprising there aren’t a lot of kicks ladies can relate to. It’s this frustration that ignited Miss MDot to create classics with a twist. Booji is an independent footwear and accessories line, that not only produces innovative shoes, but also focuses on using animal friendly materials and green responsible products, always aware of their carbon footprint. The end result is footwear to compliment a look or to wear as a tried and true staple.
Prior to Booji, MDot co-designed and managed the daily operations at JB Classics. Her constant craving for something different and her ‘think outside the (shoe)box’ design aesthetic led her to finally step out in a pair of her own Booji sneakers.
http://www.boojihouse.com/
Colophon Foundry
Colophon is an independent type foundry set up by Brighton based design studio, The Entente (Anthony Sheret & Edd Harrington). As well as distributing and acting as a platform for fonts designed by The Entente, it selects fonts designed by other designers to distribute and create products for.
Working in a similar way to that of publishers, some typefaces that are released by Colophon will be in a limited edition. These fonts will be unique in its edition, ranging from 50–500.
Colophon also offers a selection of specimen books and a range of miscellaneous products, some of which are produced in collaboration with designer Benjamin Critton. These are all produced in a limited edition.
http://www.colophon-foundry.org / http://www.the-entente.org
Hugo & Marie
Hugo & Marie is an imaginative creative agency specializing in artist management. They work with talented creatives who each share the compulsion to speak in the wonderful, nuanced vocabulary of visual media. Their dedication is direction, design, illustration, interactive, and representation services to bring all manner of projects about. The boutique was opened in 2010 and created as a platform to curate, promote, and facilitate the development of products by artists they love and admire. Hugo & Marie was founded in early 2008 by Mario Hugo and Jennifer Marie Sims.
http://www.hugoandmarie.com/
JB Lab
Established in the winter of 2001 in San Francisco CA, JB Classics is known as the punk band of the footwear industry & corner stone of the independent footwear market. Founder Jason Bass had noticed a void in the footwear industry. The lack of personality and added details in current footwear encouraged him to start his journey in the world of design.
http://www.jasonbass.net / http://www.suite2206.com
Best Made Company (Peter Buchanan-Smith)
Peter Buchanan-Smith is a New York–based designer, author, and entrepreneur whose career has included art direction of the New York Times; creative direction for Paper magazine; and work for fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi, musical legends David Byrne, Brian Eno, Philip Glass, and the band Wilco. He is the author of several books, including The Wilco Book, and he has collaborated on many others, including Strunk and White’s classic The Elements of Style with illustrator Maira Kalman. His first tome, Speck: A Curious Collection of Uncommon Things explores the fascinating lives of ordinary people and commonplace objects. This connection between people and objects is also at the heart of Buchanan-Smith’s most recent venture, Best Made Co., a purveyor of finely crafted tools and an entrée into the symbolic world they conjure.
http://www.bestmadeco.com / http://buchanansmith.com
The Solitary Arts
The Solitary Arts is operated by Yong-Ki Chang, with artwork by Geoff McFetridge. From 2005 to 2010, Yong-Ki owned and curated 3131 Gallery in San Francisco with exhibitions with Stereo Skateboards (15 Year Anniversary retrospective) to installations by photographer Tobin Yelland and artist Todd Francis. Yong-Ki currently operates the day to day marketing, branding and overall operations for the Solitary Arts Skateboard Company in addition to building every board by hand out of his studio in the Bay Area.
http://www.solitaryarts.com
Various Projects
Elizabeth Beer & Brian Janusiak formed Various Projects, as a multidisciplinary design collaboration in 2005. The idea was to create a space that was an outlet for things they made but also to be a place to showcase works, by designers/artists, that might be outside of their main occupation; Digressions. Having a retail space was a chance for the design studio, Various Projects, to experiment with some themes that reoccurred in their own work: concerns with distribution, collaboration, digression and the creation of fluctuating communities.
http://www.various-projects.com / http://www.projectno8.com
More information on this, and past exhibitions is available at www.scionav.com/art
About Scion Installation L.A.
Dedicated to fostering independent artistic expression, Scion Installation L.A. is space that allows artists to explore their creative visions. Scion Installation L.A. hosts art shows and art-related events for cutting-edge contemporary artists from across the globe. One-hundred percent of all sales go directly to the artists. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11 am to 6 pm and by appointment: 310.815.8840.
About Scion
Scion, from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., was developed with a new generation of youthful buyers in mind. Scion’s mission is to provide distinctive products, the opportunity to personalize, and an innovative, consumer-driven process at the retail level. The brand features three groundbreaking models with a wide array of standard features: the xD urban subcompact five-door, the iconic xB urban utility vehicle and the tC sports coupe. Scion launches the all-new, premium micro-subcompact iQ in 2011. The Scion brand often applies new practices in all aspects of its business and pushes the creativity envelope with non-traditional advertising and marketing to engage young consumers. Scion also supports originality through its programs in the artistic community. For more information, visit www.scion.com.
Scion Installation LA Public Relations
Evan Cerasoli
T: 949.660.7972
evan@beyondmg.com
Scion Public Relations
Craig Taguchi
T: 310.468.3282
craig_taguchi@scion.com
Scion Installation Space
3521 Helms Avenue
Culver City, CA 90232
T: 310.815.8840
www.scionav.com/space