I was totally gearing up to tell you guys about the amazing Elles exhibit that I saw last week at SAM, then I realized I never showed you the photos from the Seattle Design Festival last month. Oops.
This was the second year of the design festival created by Design in Public to provide community education and interaction with the design that shapes our city. Drew and I took Nathaniel to the event, so we explored the “Design Block” (the central area of the festival where cargo containers housed exhibits and a pop-up shop) instead of attending the presentations. Maybe next year.
One of my favorite cargo containers was the Hipstamatic photo contest display. The Seattle Design Festival partnered with Hipstamatic on a national photo contest and invited people to submit examples of design that “inspires and improves how we live, work and play.”
Sticking with the “engage your world” theme, visitors got to choose their top three favorite shots from a pre-selected group of finalists. Those who made a donation to the festival could take home one of the other photos, as long as you replaced it with a pink flag. I chose this shot of the Sydney Opera House. Australia was speaking to me that day. They also had an exhibit that highlighted Melbourne as a design city. Note to self: Go to Australia.
There was an urban planning/design cargo container, where we were invited to put pins on areas in the city that we thought were useful and well-thought out in terms of design. There was also a large notebook where we could write down any negative issues or feedback that “the city” would review. I’m sure they’re sick of hearing me complain about cyclists being allowed to ride their bikes on the sidewalk, but I’m tired of nearly getting hit by them when I’m trying to walk across the tiny Fremont Bridge walkway with my two-year-old.
I don’t know about you, but I love a good pop-up shop, especially those that are full of well-designed items.
I love these necklaces by Iacoli & McAllister. I must have one…or two….
I’m pretty sure that some of these things have a more permanent home at Object, the shop owned by Seattle photographer Charlie Shuck that I keep meaning to visit and photograph. It looks amazing. Object recently partnered with the Frye Art Museum to create their revamped Museum Store. I can’t wait to see it.
He’s all designed out.
You’ll have to wait for next week for the Seattle Art Museum Elles exhibit. Spoiler alert: It was awesome.