Design Philadelphia: The Blueprint

by Aaron Moselle

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Published: Oct 14, 2008

Now in its fourth year, DesignPhiladelphia is an ever-expanding incubator of innovation, showcasing new talent and pushing the boundaries of what design can mean to a city. In conjunction with National Design Week (Oct. 16 to 22), this year's festival hosts more programs than you can shake a T-square at. With a whopping 90 events — from exhibitions and lectures to open studios and workshops — on offer, DesignPhiladelphia gives new meaning to the term "sensory overload." Not that we mind.

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Fri., Oct. 17, noon-1 p.m., free, reservations required, Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St., 215-587-9290

In a city with such a rich restaurant culture, daily access to fresh, healthy food is often overlooked. To this end, the Community Design Collaborative, along with The Reinvestment Fund and The Food Trust, challenged three volunteer architecture firms — Agoos/Lovera Architects, KSS Architects LLP and Interface Studio Architects LLP — to draw up designs that address the lack of supermarkets in three low-income communities in the Philadelphia area. The results, on display Friday afternoon, will include retrofitting a corner grocery as a food co-op in Ogontz, converting an Art Deco warehouse into a large food co-op in Chester, and constructing an urban supermarket that bridges Girard Avenue and Brewerytown.

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Opening reception Fri., Oct. 17, 5-8 p.m.; exhibit through Nov. 8; free, AxD Gallery, 265 S. 10th St., 215-627-6250

Some artists explore the beauty of color; Deborah Sawyer explores the beauty of rust. Inspired by car fenders, grills and gears, Sawyer's solo show of paintings and sculptures made from found objects takes "junk art" to a new, sophisticated, refined level. "There's an earthy, organic synergy between the man-made world and nature taking its course," says Ed Barnhart, AxD owner.

Fri., Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., free, various parking spots along Walnut Street between Broad and 16th streets, qb3design.com

Center City motorists looking to park on Walnut Street will have eight fewer spaces to choose from Friday during a six-hour outdoor installation that will co-opt the pavement between the street and sidewalk in the name of social commentary. Specifically, the 6- by 12-foot plots will house designs — submitted by architects, artists and graphic designers — that explore the dynamic possibilities of the urban parking spot and the sustainability of urban life. Jack Fanning and Sneha Patel's "1:64" will fill the space with Matchbox race cars, while DIGSAU Architecture's "PhillyFarmShare" will use the salvaged underbelly of a car as a base for a transparent planter box full of meadow grass.

Sat., Oct. 18, 2-3:30 p.m., free, Trophy Bikes, 3131 Walnut St., 215-222-2020

According to Trophy Bikes owner Michael McGettigan, the perfect city bike doesn't exist. There are many options; it all depends on the individual rider and why they ride. To our benefit, McGettigan will offer several different styles to test ride — from Roadmasters to folders — following a discussion that will cover urban biking and its 75-year evolution as well as its unique presence in Philadelphia.

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Sat., Oct. 18, 7:30-11 p.m., $5-$8, Studio 34, 4522 Baltimore Ave., 8static.com

While the '80s produced a ton of ill-advised music, the decade did leave us with a few gems — Michael Jackson and Madonna come to mind. But what about Nintendo? Musicians who are part of the 8-bit scene — which uses hacked video game consoles and 8-bit computers to create updated digital tunes — would argue that Nintendo birthed some crowd-pleasers, too. Join local lo-fi masters Cheap Dinosaurs and Animalstyle, who will take the stage with New Yorkers Glomag, Mark Denardo and Bit Shifter. Philly's No Carrier and VBlank and NYC's noteNdo and Voltage Controlled will accompany this Hacktory-organized performance with pixel-exploding visuals.

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Opening reception Sat., Oct. 18, 8 p.m.; exhibit through Wed., Oct. 22; free, The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St., therotunda.org, mioculture.com

Brothers Jaime and Isaac Salm, and Alexandra Schmidt-Ullrich of green-design company MIO are curating a second {Heart} show completely devoted to design. "This is not an art exhibit," explains Jaime, MIO creative director. Submissions span a variety of media, including furniture, photography and graphic design. Works will come from students and other aspiring designers as well as professionals.

(aaron.moselle@citypaper.net)

DesignPhiladelphia abounds: Check out the Agenda section to read up on Swap-o-Rama-Rama, a clothing swap with a DIY twist.

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