NYCxDESIGN 2023

 

Welcome to the NYCxDesign 2023, the annual week-long festival celebrating design innovation in New York City. A hub of fashion and furniture to architecture and technology, the city one of the most important creative hubs in the world. Each May, designers, architects, and art lovers step out to attend events and exhibitions to explore the latest furniture and interiors trends, discover emerging talent, and tune into current discourse on architecture and urbanism. Ahead of the festival, held this year from May 18th — 25th, designboom rounds up some of the must-see city-wide events and exhibitions. Be sure to follow along as we take a closer look!

all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023image © Jason Briscoe

 

 

Ron Arad solo exhibition at Opera Gallery

 
Ron Arad’s exhibition ‘Don’t Ya Tell Henri’ will be held at Opera Gallery in New York from May 17th to June 14th. The designer and artist will explore the relationship between structure and absence in the material world through his use of color and fluid forms. The exhibition features new crystalline resin pieces and revisits Henri Matisse’s cut-out collage series through Arad’s bookshelf creation ‘Don’t Ya Tell Henri.’ The show also includes new versions of the artist’s famous designs such as ‘Big Easy’ and ‘Little Albert’ chairs, ‘Tube Sofa,’ and ‘Two Legs and a Table’ tables.
 
See the exhibition at Opera Gallery at 791 Madison Avenue from May 17th — June 14th. 
 
nycxdesign 2023image courtesy Opera Gallery
 
 

Friedman Benda presents COARSE, Samuel Ross’ second solo exhibition and his first in New York. Through his furniture collection, the designer, artist, and A-COLD-WALL* founder explores the connections between the body, material, meaning, and memory, drawing inspiration from West African furniture, modernism, and brutalism. He uses industrial materials such as wood, metal, stone, and marble, which he lacquers with organic materials such as turmeric, honey, and milk to add a layer of history and intentionality to the pieces. The exhibition highlights the designer‘s approach to the object’s function and narrative, emphasizing the importance of process and ritual in the making of his work. See designboom’s coverage of COARSE here. 

 

See the exhibition at Friedman Benda’s New York gallery space at 515 W 26th Street from May 18th — June17th.

 

nycxdesign 2023image courtesy NYCxDESIGN

 
 
The LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize’s 2023 edition displays thirty finalists’ works selected from over 2,700 international submissions. Exhibiting a range of mediums, the works showcase meditative, time-intensive techniques with skillful manipulation of materials, often featuring unexpected forms, colors, and trompe l’oeil. This year, the exhibition will be held at Isamu Noguchi’s former studio, in Long Island City, Queens, and the winner will be revealed on May 16. The annual prize was launched in 2016 by LOEWE creative director Jonathan Anderson to celebrate modern craftsmanship’s excellence, artistic merit, and innovation.
 
See the works in person at the at Isamu Noguchi’s studio in Long Island City from May 17th — June 18th.
 
nycxdesign 2023
image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

Early Patterns: Reintroducing Akari of the 1950s

 
The Noguchi Museum Shop will offer rare models of Isamu Noguchi’s Akari light sculptures for sale in North America for the first time in decades. These tabletop-scale designs feature colorful, abstract patterns silk-screened onto mulberry bark paper with lacquered bamboo collars. The exhibition of the 2023 LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize at Isamu Noguchi’s Studio will also include archival materials related to the history of Akari. The presentation in the Museum Shop will be the first opportunity to view and purchase the works in-person, and the exhibition ‘Noguchi Subscapes’ will be on display concurrently. see designboom’s coverage of the collection here.
 
Explore the collection at the Noguchi Museum at 9-01 33rd Road, Long Island City from May 17th — 28th.
 
nycxdesign 2023
image courtesy The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum
 
 

 

Pratt Shows: Design is an eagerly anticipated yearly event that celebrates the talent and hard work of exceptional graduating students from the School of Design, School of Architecture, and School of Art at Pratt Institute‘s bucolic Brooklyn campus. This annual exhibition showcases a wide range of innovative and cutting-edge design work, providing a platform for graduates to display their creativity and hard-earned skills. This exhibition offers a unique and diverse presentation of what’s next in design, highlighting emerging trends, techniques, and visions from talented graduates.

 

The design shows will be on view at the ARC building in Pratt Institute from May 11th — 17th.

 
nycxdesign 2023image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

Sony and furniture brand Stellar Works will collaborate to present ‘STAYDREAM — a surreal reality’ during NYCxDESIGN. Stellar Works will team up with Sony Design to showcase a series of conceptual pieces in an immersive environment that blends space, furniture, and technology to create a sensory and storytelling experience. The exhibition will focus on bringing the outdoors inside by highlighting the ambiance of nature within interior spaces. ‘This project aims to convey and unveil new forms of user experience, sensing techniques and human interaction, exemplifying the coexistence of physical and meta realities,’ writes the team.

 

The exhibition will be held at Stellar Works’ New York showroom at 304 Canal Street from May 18th — 25th.

nycxdesign 2023
image courtesy Sony Design

 
 

MUJI IS

 
In time for NYCxDESIGN, MUJI brings its MUJI IS exhibition to New York. The installation takes visitors through a forest-like journey that highlights MUJI’s design philosophy and product archives from the last forty years. The products are categorized based on the fifteen key verbs that drove their development, such as Totonoeru (organize) and Ikasu (utilize). Visitors are invited to explore the brand’s ethos and experience their products in a unique and engaging way.
 
The space can be found at 20 Hudson Yards 4 FL., and will run from May 18th — June 4th.
 
nycxdesign 2023image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

Galerie Philia exhibition

 
Galerie Philia is pleased to announce its participation in NYCxDESIGN with an exciting exhibition of sculptural design, located in the heart of Manhattan’s gallery district of Chelsea. The exhibition showcases a collection of contemporary pieces from some of the most relevant voices in the design world, offering a unique and diverse presentation. This latest New York show closely follows Galerie Philia’s Desacralized exhibition which debuted during Milan Design Week 2023.
 
Explore Galerie Philia‘s exhibition 455 West 19th St, 8 Fl., from May 18th — July 31st.
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023
image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

Open Studio at Ottra

 
Join furniture brand Ottra for a tour of its workshop in Red Hook, Brooklyn where it creates award-winning, sculptural solid-wood furniture. In its showroom upstairs, the team will share some of our latest designs. Founded by Sofia and Adam Zimmerman, the furniture brand started as a side project for our architecture firm, Zimmerman Workshop.
 
The studio is located at 185 Van Dyke Street Suite 110, Brooklyn and will be open from May 18th — 22nd.
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023
image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

Soho Design Day

 
Explore the cobblestone streets of Soho as participating design companies open the doors of their showrooms during NYCxDESIGN. The Soho Design District counts among its members some of the best national and international design brands, including Artemide, Foscarini, the MoMA Design Store, and Tom Dixon.
 
While the week will run from May 18th — 25th, the group will celebrate SoHo Design Day with a program of special events On Saturday, May 20th.
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023
image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

/ c–Home / Gallery /

 
Architecture firm LOT-EK designed its c–Home as a unique, prefabricated container dwelling type that offers a solution to sustainable and environmentally-friendly housing. To showcase the potential of ecological materials and designs in the home and its surroundings, the c–Home Gallery is hosting a virtual exhibition series showcasing various c-Homes built across the Hudson Valley. The event aims to inform and engage audiences in conversations about art, design, and up-cycled living, as well as future directions in these fields. The Claverack, NY location of the c–Home Gallery will feature selected works and provide an opportunity for visitors to witness the current capabilities of sustainable living.
 
Selected works will be on view at the LOT-EK storefront on 616 E 9th Street from May 18th — 23rd.
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023image courtesy LOT-EK
 
 

Architecture Now: New York, New Publics

 
Architecture can help promote social participation and a sense of belonging in a city where real estate and economic forces shape our social lives. Now on view at MoMA, ‘Architecture Now: New York, New Publics’ showcases twelve projects for public-facing spaces in the city’s five boroughs. These design approaches propose subtle and nimble interventions to create more accessible, sustainable, and equitable cities. The exhibition includes a range of design proposals such as waterfront parks, public pools, cultural spaces, community gardens, and subway stations.
 
These projects reimagine the uses of civic infrastructure, the sharing of private resources, and the potential for new technologies to create virtual spaces for political engagement. The exhibition features models, drawings, photographs, and full-scale architectural components and prototypes, proposed by team from Adjaye Associates, James Corner Field Operations, Kinfolk Foundation, nArchitects, Peterson Rich Office, and SO – IL. see designboom’s previous coverage here.
 
Architecture Now: New York, New Publics will be on view at MoMA until July 29th, 2023.
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

MAGENTAVERSE

 

Join ARTECHOUSE and Pantone on a journey into MAGENTAVERSE, an immersive experience that allows you to discover the limitless possibilities of Viva Magenta, the Pantone Color of the Year 2023. Explore a world of stunning visuals and sounds that draw inspiration from the earth and the cosmos, while immersing yourself in a space filled with creative energy that invigorates your spirit and improves your well-being.

 

In addition, the exhibit will showcase technological explorations from NASA, setting it apart from the previous MAGENTAVERSE exhibit at ARTECHOUSE Miami (see designboom’s coverage here). While this marks the fourth year in a row that ARTECHOUSE and Pantone have collaborated to unveil the Pantone Color of the Year, but it is the first time that a dedicated exhibit is open to the public.

 

The installation will show at ARTECHOUSE NYC at 439 W 15th St from May 18th — May 29th. Find tickets here.

 

all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023image courtesy ARTECHOUSE
 
 

WEST CHELSEA BY DIMORESTUDIO

 
Experience a captivating exhibition titled WEST CHELSEA, hosted at Artemest Galleria New York, showcasing the visionary creations of Dimorestudio. Founded in 2003 by Britt Moran and Emiliano Salci, the architecture and interior design studio presents a curated display reminiscent of a museum. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves within the space and discover a collection of limited-edition furniture pieces and objects meticulously crafted by Dimorestudio and available exclusively through Artemest.
 
The exhibition will be on view at Artemest Galleria, 518 West 19th Street, from May 19th — May 25th.
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023Dimorestudio, Skinny Bench | image courtesy Artemest
 
 

The Thick Skin: Cork in the Constructed Environment

 
The collaborative effort between Parsons School of Design and Amorim Cork, a leading cork manufacturer, will be highlighted in an upcoming exhibition titled ‘The Thick Skin: Cork in the Constructed Environment’. The exhibition will feature a variety of products, including furniture, lighting, consumer goods, and architectural solutions, all of which have incorporated cork as their primary material. 
 
The team of students and researchers at Parsons focuses on experimenting with cork’s potential in the constructed environment and natural material usage. Cork forests in southeastern Portugal have played a significant role in the region’s socio-economic health, including aiding in forest fire prevention and reducing greenhouse gases. The students will work directly with cork as a material to develop new design forms and applications in various fields, aiming to improve sustainability in global production and manufacturing.
 
The exhibition will be open at Canal Street Market, 265 Canal Street from May 18th — May 24th.
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023image courtesy Parsons School of Design
 
 

Design Talk with photographer Iwan Baan

 

Among today’s leading photographers, Iwan Baan is best known for capturing works of architecture and urban design. Through his lens, he documents the evolution of bustling cities around the world and showcases the works of prominent contemporary architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, Rem Koolhaas, and Zaha Hadid. Iwan Baan’s distinctive style of vibrant realism highlights the connection between people and their surroundings, while his expansive perspective offers a comprehensive overview of the importance of architecture and urban design in our lives.

 

During the fall of 2023, the first major retrospective exhibition of Baan’s work will take place at Germany’s Vitra Design Museum in the fall of 2023. Ahead of the exhibition’s opening, Iwan Baan will take part in a public conversation during the NYCxDESIGN festival.

 

The talk will be held at 1014 Space for Ideas, 1014 5th Ave, on May 19th at 6:30pm — register for free here.

 
 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023
Beinecke Library Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, SOM | image © Iwan Baan
 
 

ECOPHILIA

 

Designer Constantin Boym has created a project called Ecophilia in collaboration with Hudson Valley-based store and gallery Available Items. Ecophilia draws inspiration from Enzo Mari‘s ‘Autoprogettazione’ manual and the idea that eco-humanism should be expressed through design. It is a series of contemporary habitats for plants and animals that can be constructed using accessible, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly materials and tools.

 

Available Items will display an installation of Ecophilia objects designed by Boym in the courtyard of the new Penny Williamsburg hotel. The exhibit will include a recently published book titled ‘Ecophilia’, which includes illustrations and instructions for building and installing each piece, along with a foreword by architect and environmentalist James Wines.

 

The project will be on view at Penny Williamsburg hotel, 288 N 8th St. from May 20th — 22nd.

 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023image courtesy Available Items
 
 

the beauty of black and white

 

The Beauty of Black and White offers an exclusive glimpse into the world of designer Lauren Rottet. This captivating exhibition presents Art, Accessories, and Accoutrement in Black and White, and unveils a collection of designs and recent acquisitions curated by the Rottet Collection founder. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves within the objects, art pieces, weavings, sculptures, and furniture, which together come together in perfect harmony. The event will feature works from esteemed artists such as Loretta Howard Gallery, Suzanne Tick, Damien Hirst, and Gio Ponti.
 
In addition to the display, Rottet Collection is hosting a giveaway, offering visitors a chance to win a Dichroic table or a Cross Tray. To participate, simply visit the NYC Showroom, leave your business card, and follow @RottetCollection on Instagram.
 
The exhibition will be open at the Rottet Collection Showroom at 29 W. 30th St. 6th Fl, from May 20th — May 25th.

all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023image courtesy Rottet Collection

 
 

IFDA Japan Fair

 

IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association, will be holding a Japan Fair to mark the occasion. The event will feature artisans from our Japan Chapter and will include a series of seminars highlighting architectural preservation (Minka), and demonstrating traditional ikebana floral design, calligraphy, ceramics, the art of tea, and the development and design influences of Chinoiserie.

 

The seminars will be held between three locations on Lexington Ave on May 20th, May 22nd, and May 23rd — see the full list of events here.

 

all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023
image courtesy NYCxDESIGN
 
 

ICFF + Wanted design manhattan

 

WantedDesign Manhattan, a special ‘show within a show’ exhibition dedicated to both established and emerging designers, will return to New York’s Javits Center from May 21st — 23rd. The annual event attracts a large number of visitors each year seeking to explore the various exhibitions and programs on display. These programs include Look Book, a platform for high-end North American studios, and Launch Pad, which showcases emerging international designers. Other features include the Wanted Interiors Lounge, the Schools Exhibit which highlights student work from design schools around the world, and ECO Solidarity, a movement promoting sustainable and responsible design.

 

ICFF + WantedDesign will take over the Javits Center from May 21st — 23rd. 

 
all the must-see events and exhibitions during NYCxDESIGN 2023
image courtesy NYCxDESIGN