The NYCxDESIGN Festival is set to once again immerse New York City in the world’s top art and design, May 16-23, 2024. Announcing this year’s emblematic theme – ‘Design is All Around Us’ – NYCxDESIGN highlights community, inclusivity, and the broad coalition of design disciplines. Get ready to be inspired by engaging events, thought-provoking exhibitions, stunning public installations, and much more! Here are 10 events you won’t want to miss:
Designing Tomorrow: With MAWDmade and Sugarlift
May 13, 10:00 am – May 24, 5:00 pm
Exhibition
Manhattan – Chelsea
High Line Nine
Designing Tomorrow is an innovative gallery exhibition, unveiling MAWD’s first furniture collection alongside works by three distinguished artists from Sugarlift Gallery. The exhibition will be open to the public from May 13th through May 24th, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10 am-5 pm.
At the heart of the exhibition lies MAWDmade’s furniture pieces, embodying elegance, functionality, and environmental consciousness. Complementing MAWDmade’s collection are works by three visionary artists from Sugarlift Gallery. Through various mediums, these artists engage in a dialogue with MAWDmade’s ethos, exploring themes of nature, innovation, and the human experience. Their pieces serve as catalysts for reflection, prompting viewers to contemplate the intersection of art, design, and sustainability.
“Designing Tomorrow” offers an immersive experience, inviting visitors to explore the possibilities of reshaping tomorrow’s landscape through art and design. Through this collaboration, Sugarlift Gallery and MAWDmade aim to inspire change-makers, designers, and art enthusiasts alike to envision a brighter, more sustainable future.
Lampes Sèvres: Ronan Bouroullec x Manufacture nationale de Sèvres
May 15, 10:00 am – May 21, 6:00 pm
Exhibition
Manhattan – Upper East Side
Villa Albertine
This unique presentation of luminous objects marks the inaugural collaboration between Bouroullec and the Manufacture, illuminating the Villa Albertine’s Venetian Room from May 15th to May 21st, during Oui Design!
The Lampes Sèvres, created in 2023 in 10-piece limited editions, consist of an aluminium base and a Sèvres porcelain corolla, both available in three different sizes, offering an infinite variety of combinations. The porcelain corollas are crafted in the “Grand Atelier” workshop of the Manufacture and glazed by insufflation. Each corolla undergoes crystallization during firing, resulting in a random rendering that imbues each piece with unique characteristics. The crystallization of the enamels produces abstract patterns reminiscent of an iris or constellations, vibrant with colours, vibrations, and intricate details which makes each work unique.
Born in Quimper in 1971, Ronan Bouroullec is a renowned French designer who graduated from the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. For over thirty-five years, Bouroullec has been creating distinctive objects that explore the interplay between individuals and their interior environments, collaborating with international editors.
Since its establishment in 1740, the Manufacture de Sèvres has been committed to preserving heritage while fostering artistic experimentation. Situated on the outskirts of Paris, the Manufacture serves as a unique living laboratory and a prominent figure in the art world, particularly in design and decorative arts. With 120 on-site ceramists specializing in thirty trades, coupled with the excellence of materials produced on-site using ancestral techniques, the Manufacture showcases contemporary artistic expression and collectable design.
Sèvres serves as both a custodian of tradition, transmitting ancestral skills and expertise while disseminating knowledge of ceramic arts, and a hub of creative innovation, showcasing its porcelain mastery for nearly three centuries. As a public institution, Sèvres beautifully balances tradition and modernity, making it a truly unique entity in the art world.
Designing Women IV: Eileen Gray’s House for Two Sculptors
May 15, 10:00 am – June 15, 6:00 pm
Manhattan – TriBeCa
Egg Collective Showroom
Designing Women IV: Eileen Gray’s House for Two Sculptors is the fourth presentation in Egg Collective’s ongoing Designing Women series, where the company’s founders bring to life a little-known architectural design by the late Eileen Gray. Vignettes inspired by both the House for Two Sculptors and Eileen Gray’s aesthetic are presented alongside designs by Egg Collective and artworks by two contemporary sculptors: Taylor Kibby and Molly Haynes.
Each holding a degree in architecture, Egg Collective’s three co-founders — Stephanie Beamer, Crystal Ellis and Hillary Petrie — know firsthand that architecture is a male-dominated industry. However, while scouting potential photoshoot locations, they were struck by how few works of female-authored historic architecture are documented or exist in the present day. Designing Women IV: Eileen Gray’s House for Two Sculptors was born out of a desire to address this chasm. They wondered, what if, through modern technology, an unbuilt work of female-authored architecture could be realized and therefore lifted from obscurity? This line of questioning set them off on a journey through architectural archives and eventually into a conversation across time with the late Eileen Gray.
One of Eileen Gray’s architectural works that never made it past pencil on paper was the House for Two Sculptors. Upon her passing at the age of 98, the House for Two Sculptors lived on in Gray’s archive as a rarely published set of basic hand drawings. Conceived in 1933, its clients, site and broader inspiration have been lost to history. Reading that the plan for the House for Two Sculptors was designed around an “egg-shaped” atelier, a seed was planted. After gaining permission to do so, Egg Collective’s co-founders set out on a years-long journey of discovery, research and inspiration to digitally bring Eileen Gray’s original plans to life.
Aiming to exemplify ideas sketched out by Grey but never completed in her lifetime, the project entailed carefully retracing the marks left by Eileen’s hand, as well as the study of her aesthetic, ethos and legacy. Throughout the process, Egg Collective endeavoured to stay true to the unmistakable creative language Eileen Gray developed throughout her long career while also asserting the inspiration she had on subsequent generations of designers, themselves included. Designing Women IV: Eileen Gray’s House for Two Sculptors documents this process and invites viewers to imagine what it would be like to inhabit the House for Two Sculptors had it been built via a series of photorealistic renderings, and an exhibition on view at the company’s Tribeca Gallery. The exhibition will open to the public on May 15th wherein vignettes inspired by both the House for Two Sculptors and Eileen Gray’s unmistakeable design language will be presented alongside designs by Egg Collective and artworks by two contemporary sculptors and friends: Taylor Kibby and Molly Haynes.
Vision for Visionaries: Design in AR
May 20, 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Manhattan – Flatiron / Nomad District
SVA Theatre
The design industry is being profoundly transformed by Augmented Reality (AR), enabling designers to work with 3D objects in actual space, moving beyond the confines of traditional 2D screens. This keynote will showcase how AR enhances collaboration, supports real-time prototyping, and facilitates immersive presentations. We’ll discuss AR’s impact on architecture and design, gaining insights into the extraordinary capabilities it offers the industry. At the end of the session, we’ll offer demos to give attendees a first-hand experience of the tech.
Speakers:
Joel Krieger, VP Product Design at Magic Leap
David Schwarz, Founding Partner at HUSH
This event is part of the NYCxDESIGN Keynotes program.
Flatiron Nomad Public Activation presents “Portal”
May 16, 8:00 am – May 23, 5:00 pm
Manhattan – Flatiron / Nomad District
Flatiron Plaza South
A groundbreaking public technology sculpture known as “The Portal” is set to form a visual bridge between New York City and Dublin, Ireland, launching this spring. The Portal in New York City will be installed on the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, next to the famed Flatiron Building. In Dublin, the Portal will be installed facing the capital’s main street, O’Connell Street and will capture the iconic vista of both Dublin’s famous GPO building and the Spire together.
The “Portal” New York City and Dublin Ireland connection will be from spring 2024 through the fall of the same year. In addition to the real-time connection, there will be scheduled programming, including cultural performances at each city’s Portal that will be enjoyed by people in the other city via the live stream.
“The Portal” is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Flatiron NoMad Partnership, Simons Foundation, NYC DOT Art, Dublin City Council, the EU Capital of Smart Tourism, and portals.org team.
CLASSIC DESIGN, MODERN PERSPECTIVE with Ethan Allen
May 16, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Manhattan – Midtown East + West
Ethan Allen
As champions of timeless design, we believe in re-envisioning classic forms, personalizing each element to suit the aspirations of those who live with them. We invite you to tour our newly re-envisioned Design Center, featuring a sneak peek at never-before-seen products, and experience interior design that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
This event is part of the aspire Design Tour Program.
Inspiration, Innovation, and Limitless Possibilities with Muretti
May 16, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Manhattan – Chelsea
Muretti Chelsea
In the heart of New York City, in a place where you can absorb energy and inspiration from the world the Muretti showroom welcomes all creatives to gather their greatness and explore ideas, dreams, and projects. Since day one, Muretti has built its reputation of excellence and trust in delivering quality, style, and durability to every project. Italian craftsmanship with innovation that drives others to surpass the norm. Walking through the showroom must be like embarking on a sensory journey, with each material telling its own story. The invitation to share ideas and projects fosters a sense of community and collaboration, where creativity flows freely. And of course, the offer of a drink adds a touch of warmth and conviviality to the experience. It’s not just about selecting materials; it’s about forming connections and sparking new ideas. See you at the Muretti Showroom in Chelsea for the 2024 NYCxDESIGN!
Maison Gerard Celebrates the Best of French Design
May 16, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Manhattan – Greenwich Village / East + West Village
Maison Gérard
To celebrate Oui Design!, Maison Gerard has invited leading French artisans and designers Atelier d’Offard and Pierre Gonalons (represented by Ronit Anderson), Saint-Louis, and Atelier Viollet to create a presentation highlighting each of their respective areas: wallcoverings, crystal and furniture.
Maison Gerard will also feature works by the French Art Deco masters Maison Jansen, Maison Leleu, Albert Cheuret and André Arbus—the very designers upon whom the gallery established its reputation some 50 years ago; in addition to French masterpieces of the mid-century and today including works in shimmering glass by Kiko Lopez; delicately embroidered upholstery by Miguel Cisterna; ceramics and sculptures by Eric Astoul, Guy Bareff, Jean Girel, and Basque sculptor Zigor. The luxurious furnishings of Aline Hazarian, Franck Evennou, Jean-Luc Le Mounier, Emma Donnersberg and Marc Bankowsky will be displayed as well.
Espasso presents Fernando Mendes: from Sketch to Varnish
May 16, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Manhattan – TriBeCa
Espasso
With names like Luiza, Duda, André, Gilda, Valente and Arbatax, the pieces in Fernando Mendes’ newest furniture collection honour the designer’s close friends and inspiration for his work. The exhibit will be open to the public from May 17 through June 30, Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm.
The pieces are defined by careful craftsmanship and formal minimalism that exemplify the designer’s skill in handcrafted carpentry. Each piece is an invitation to experience the trivial beauty of everyday life: comfortable chairs for contemplating scenic landscapes, sitting with friends around a table, or toasting at the bar.
Fernando Mendes is an architect, designer and carpenter, born in São Paulo and currently residing in Rio de Janeiro, where his atelier is located. His work is produced in a contemporary carpentry shop that uses hand tools and artisanal techniques in the production of furniture and objects designed by himself and the Brazilian furniture master Sergio Rodrigues, with whom he worked closely for over thirty years.
Embracing Creativity and Innovation Through Design
May 17, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Manhattan – Flatiron / Nomad District
Kartell NYC Flagship Showroom
At Kartell, we believe in the power of design to shape the way we live, work, and interact with our surroundings. Step into our showroom and immerse yourself in a world where every piece tells a story of innovation and imagination. From iconic furniture to contemporary home accessories, our curated collection is a testament to Kartell’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design innovation, environmental focus and collaboration with today’s lead designers.
Embrace Creativity and Innovation Through Design!
