Find haptic enchantment at DESIGN MIAMI.
The official university partner of DESIGN MIAMI., SCAD presents a collection of alumni works exploring the disciplines of fibers, lighting design, furniture design, and sculptural installation. Embracing a tranquil, natural palette, each artist demonstrates a profound understanding of materials, emphasizing the handmade to highlight the transformative alchemy of their practices.
An intricate installation by Sarah Fonzi (B.F.A., sculpture, 2008) anchors the presentation. Created through the meticulous application of thousands of plaster casts of small objects — from miniature cargo ships and toy umbrellas to beetles — fantastical arrangements of patterned sculptural reliefs cover each wall of the booth. Sporting the sumptuous, curvilinear details of his signature forms, a solid wood desk by Christian Dunbar (M.F.A., furniture design, 2016; B.F.A., furniture design, 2013) occupies the center of the space. Adrian Pepe (M.F.A., design for sustainability, 2010; B.F.A., architecture, 2008) honors the delicate nuances of sheep’s wool and the local mythology of his home in Beirut with two felted tapestries featuring narrative-rich embroidery. Engaging the tension between softness and rigidity, Carl Johnson (B.F.A., fibers, 2021) reconsiders the inherent qualities of textiles through three woven metal wire and cotton sculptural light fixtures strategically suspended from above.
Collectively, these artists offer a serene environment of sensorial impressions that elicit fresh discovery of material and process.
About DESIGN MIAMI.
A prestigious fair and global forum, DESIGN MIAMI. partners with international galleries and arts institutions to showcase cutting-edge work by emerging and established designers and host progressive cultural programming. This is the sixth year SCAD will serve as the official university partner.