Exhibition

School of Visual Arts presents “Obsoletely Fabulous: Reimagining Old Technology through Home Design,” an exhibition of works by first-year MFA Design students. Curated by Kevin O’Callaghan, chair of 3D Design, the exhibition is on view April 23 through May 17 at the SVA Gramercy Gallery, 209 East 23rd Street, New York City. Admission is free and open to the public.

A chair made from typewriters, a fireplace made from encyclopedias, a desk made from a telephone switchboard—these are just a few of the many imaginative works that will be on display in this exhibition.Conceived as both a farewell and homage to objects that once seemed cutting edge, “Obsoletely Fabulous” invites a reconsideration of the role that technology has always played in everyday life, playfully recontextualizing the aesthetics of these objects through furniture. Participating artists include Najeebah Al Ghadban, Kenny Batu, Megan Daley, Emily Engelson, Gilad Foss, Felipe Garcia, Reham Ibrahim, Minkyeong Lee, Marjorie Lin, Yichi Liu, Issa Mao, Saawan Patath, Eivor Pedersen, Sasha Prood, Patricia Sanchez, Mohammad Sharaf, Thomas Strobel, Wanjung Tsai, Luisa Velez, Manasrawee Wongpradu and E.S. Kibele Yarman.

MFA Design launched at SVA in 1998 as an alternative to traditional master's programs, which emphasize form over content. The program provides the tools, inspiration and experience to ensure that students transcend the common definition of designers as solely service providers to become individual and collaborative authors and originators of content.

As entrepreneurship has become more significant throughout the contemporary design scene, MFA Design has been in the forefront. Students are required to create their own content using any media; their thesis is produced directly for a specific marketplace of goods and ideas.

Students work individually and collaboratively during two intensive years to develop products of value through both digital and hand skills. They are encouraged to network with visiting and full-time faculty—professionals all—to ensure that their respective intellectual properties are aesthetically sound and conceptually viable.