Artists and Designers At Work

Making art is one of those jobs that for the most part goes unseen---we see the results in museums and galleries, but it's rare that we get to actually see the artist at work, never mind to be able to ask questions about everything from process to production.

But the Museum of Art and Design has an artist-in-residence program that's designed to bring the artist and craftsperson into direct contact with the public.

We stopped in recently to check out the open studios there, and found Sarah Ambramson creating her enameled earrings, pendants, and brooches, each of which is like a tiny sculpture. Since September, 2009, Abramson has been one of  about six artists in residence at the museum.

If you want to see her at work and ask about her process, you better act fast: Thursday, June 3 is her last day there. Abramson says it's been  a great experience working with the museum. "It gives me an opportunity to explain the different stages of my process and to get feedback from strangers on my work---and that's completely refreshing," she said.

For more on the Museum of Art and Design, visit: http://www.madmuseum.org/

For more on Abramson's innovative creations, see: http://www.sarahabramson.us/

Why Design Now?

There is one museum in the USA devoted solely to contemporary and historic design: the Cooper-Hewitt in New York City, and this week marks the opening of this year's National Design Triennial exhibit, which was created to seek out the very best and most innovative in contemporary design.

The exhibit includes design ideas from the worlds of architecture, landscape, and fashion that were introduced between 2006 and 2009.

For more information, visit the Cooper-Hewitt site at http://www.cooperhewitt.org/EXHIBITIONS/triennial/why-design-now.asp

From the site's description of the header image: The bioWAVE, developed by Australia-based BioPower Systems, is a new device that harnesses the power of ocean waves and converts it into smart grid–connected electricity.

Tile Goodness

Great design: check. Terrific style: check. Showrooms to die for: check. Donations to charities: check.

It isn't every design company that can boast of not only making the world more beautiful but also of making it a better place for people in need. Artistic Tile---online and with showrooms  in White Plains, Shrewsbury, New Jersey and Manhattan, makes a point of donating some of its profits to a range of non-profit organizations and charities, from the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer to Habitat for Humanity.

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Meet the Jewelry Designer

In her earliest childhood days, Nina Nguyen was fascinated by her uncle's goldsmithing work in his casting foundry in Vietnam. Today, she designs her own jewlery line in Florida, using semiprevcious stones, and creates elegant, artistic pieces, like that shown here. The pieces are then produced by skilled artisans in the Nina Nguyen Design Women's Co-Operative in the rural village of Kontum, Vietnam

She'll be speaking at the Asia Society in New York on May 5, 1-4 pm., 725 Park Avenue. Admission is free. Check the Asia Society site for more.

http://www.asiasociety.org/events-calendar/asian-american-designer-event-nina-nguyen-jewelry

Homestyle your Pad

Autodesk, the big CAD computer software company, has come out with a free software for the designer in you. With the Homestyler, you can create 3D versions of your own residence and reimagine its transformation - all without spending a penny or breaking a sweat.

You can enter your own measurements, or you can choose an existing floor plan from their gallery, and using their drag-and-drop interface, quickly add furniture and furnishings. There is even a landscaping feature should you decide to redesign your backyard. If you ever wanted to know how an additional wing to the house would look like or how your dream house will appear, this is a great opportunity to find out.

For more information go to Homestyler.  Below is a 3D image of a kitchen I quickly designed in Homestyler.