Philadelphia (July, 2004)–Playing the Field: The art + design of Godley-Schwan will run in the Goldie Paley house, home of The Design Center/ Philadelphia University, August 30 – November 19, 2004. From an historical point of view, Godley-Schwan’s work represents an example of a seismic shift that was taking place in the American home furnishings industry during the later part of the 20th century. Using a 20-year timeline as a frame of reference for presenting the design team’s work, the show will unveil both practical design lessons and an historical context for the product design field.
Lyn Godley and Lloyd Schwan (1955-2001) worked as a design team for 18 years, during a time when art, craft and design merged into a new form of American design. Trained as artists, Godley and Schwan were at the forefront of breaking down barriers that stood among these fields. In 1984 Godley-Schwan entered the market with a line of jewelry that was alive with color, shape and materials. Over the next two years, Godley-Schwan branched out into home accessories, lighting and furniture. In 1988 they introduced their American-made fun and functional objects at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, an unprecedented event for both the design firm and the American furnishings field at large.
Previously in the United States, high-end art furniture had been sold exclusively through galleries, but with this emerging design trend--where the boundaries among art, design and craft blurred--limited edition or batch-produced designer goods became available to the public through department stores, specialty retail locations and the newly formed trade shows such as Accent on Design and the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF). Participating in these events from the very start, Godley-Schwan helped pave the way in the late 80s and 90s for the proliferation of designer furnishings available to the widespread public today.
As exemplars of this movement, Godley and Schwan’s work can be found in numerous museum and private collections around the world, including the Denver Art Museum, New York’s Museum of Art and Design and The Museum of Modern Art.
In an effort to reach out to new audiences, The Design Center has selected Godley-Schwan for their aesthetic accessibility. Their colorful work immediately appeals to a broad audience; their sketchbooks, maquettes and full-scale furniture will be employed to tell the story of this moment in design history. Not only will the show provide a context for the historical period, but will also serve as a unique forum for the public to access the evolution of the design process itself. The input and recollections from scores of designers, curators, writers and leaders in the design industry–such as MoMA curator Paola Antonelli, designer Clodagh, retailer Rick Kaufman, designer Constantin Boym, design historian Mel Byars–will help to tell the story of this time period and the work of Godley-Schwan in a 48-page, full color catalog published in conjunction with the exhibition.
Strawbridge’s Department Store is the Presenting Sponsor for Playing the Field: the art & design of Godley-Schwan. Additional funders include Wilsonart International and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
The public opening for Playing the Field is Friday, September 10, 4 to 7:30 p.m. at The Design Center at Philadelphia University in the Goldie Paley House, 4200 Henry Avenue in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. Playing the Field is free and open to the public.
Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 11a.m. to 4p.m. Group tours for children, school groups and adults are available by appointment.
The Design Center at Philadelphia University (TDC) promotes the appreciation of design in everyday life. Addressing a broad audience, TDC furthers the awareness and understanding of design, both past and present, through exhibitions, research, education and the stewardship and interpretation of its collection.