Sustainability, in its complex and multifaceted form, serves as the focal point of The Crossroads’ second iteration, "At the Crossroads of American Design: Sustainability in Practice and Spirit." Creative Director David Rockwell and Rockwell Group and Editor Pei-Ru Keh curated a colorful and immersive environment that is an ode to both the fantasy and dreams of American design and a hands-on approach to sustainability practices.
This year’s exhibition shined a spotlight on the way designers seek to preserve long-honored craft traditions while pushing the boundaries of circularity to consciously re-think the legitimacy of material use.
The installation was framed by a long diagonal wall that functioned as a billboard on one side, and on the other showcased a recycled felt mural of a desert super bloom created by artist Liora Manné.
The exhibition was divided into several zones, including seating for design dialogues and panels; a central circulation area to connect with designers in person; a gallery of objects highlighting the diversity of design in practice; and a casual configuration of seating for visitors to both discover and reflect on the breadth of design now.
The variety of spaces creates different pockets showcasing the possibilities of sustainability by 18 different design studios across the United States.
The Crossroads also highlighted the different ways creative communities band together to ensure the longevity and enrichment of design as a whole, whether it be through the more inclusive representation of different cultures, or deeper, community-wide engagement to make design more accessible to all.
Lead Partners
Designtex and Skram
Partners
Alexis & Ginger, Colony, Liora Manné, Loose Parts, Office of Tangible Space, OkaTerra by Common Object Studio, Talbot & Yoon
Contributors
Daniel Michalik, Elodie Blanchard, Kamilla Csegzi, Lichen, LikeMindedObjects, Madeline Isakson, MushLume Lighting, Sahra Jajarmikhayat, thehighkey
Community Collaborators
Youth Design Center with Destiny Jacobs, MetroPaint in partnership with PaintCare Oregon
Lighting Consultant
Focus Lighting