THREE PRATT INDUSTRIAL DESIGN students won a competition affiliated with Dumbo’s BKLYN Designs show in mid-May. Their winning work will be showcased at the Design Within Reach Showroom in the Heights through June 12.
First place was awarded to Ian Collings, a 2008 grad from Virginia Beach, Va., for his “Urban Driftwood” — graceful mobile stools made of reclaimed wood found near Willoughby Avenue, by Pratt. A friend who often passed by the log knew it had been sitting there for at least two years, but, despite being covered in elements of nature (and “dog pee”), it was inherently sturdy material.
“The idea is to use material that is already beautiful, and otherwise doomed for the landfill, re-purposing it into furniture,” said Collings. “The log sat in the studio all semester. I was going in a different direction, experimenting with lamination technology, but the log always had a presence. At the end of the semester I lobbed it in half, and it’s such a heavy object, I decided to put on casters.”
The final pieces assume both rough and refined qualities, with the texture in the wood base of the stool mimicked in the black seat cushion. The casters let them glide elegantly across the floor.
Collings is now sharing a friend’s Williamsburg studio, designGo!, where they are developing asthetically pleasing, clever pet supplies (www.designgostudio.com), hoping to raise enough capital to take their work to the “next level.” Collings continues to make furniture from found materials and has encountered many Brooklyn-based designers who are doing the same. Mostly though, he is just reveling in the excitement of seeing what post-college life will bring.
Gregory Buntain, a 2008 graduate from Westfield, N.J., was selected as the contest’s runner-up for his collapsible teak deck chair titled “Axis,” which was designed with stainless steel hardware and an adjustable and removable quilted waterproof-seating sling.
Robert Volek, a second-year industrial design student from Budapest, Hungary, won third place for “Filament,” a touch-sensitive floor lamp that emphasizes the old form and function of filament through modern light-emitting diode lighting technology.
ART
WITH A PENCHANT for pop art, Rae McGrath is breaking new ground in Stuyvesant Heights with his new art space, Brooklynite Gallery. As an artist and filmmaker born and raised in the borough, McGrath plans to gear the gallery towards “street art with a hint of pop,” but notes that art featured at Brooklynite will not be defined by category. “When you see something, and it just works — that’s the kind of art we plan to show.” McGrath both designed and built the modern building that houses the gallery and his partner, Hope McGrath, who will help run Brooklynite, says the addition of the chic façade to the gentrifying neighborhood has created an unprecedented buzz of excitement. Final touches will be completed just days before the June 10 opening night, when the gallery’s “bling”-themed inaugural show “Nose Cand,” from world-renowned artist BAST, will open. Brooklynite Gallery is located at 334 Malcolm X Blvd.
http://www.brooklynitegallery.com/
YESTERDAY, BOROUGH PREZ Marty Markowitz welcomed both Judith Jamison, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Linda Shelton, executive director of the Joyce Theater from the Borough Hall Plaza. The festivities were to celebrate the return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to BAM for the first time in 35 years.
Alvin Ailey performers were also on hand for the press kickoff in Borough Hall Plaza. The Alvin Ailey American Dance will perform at BAM June 3-8, — presenting “Classic Ailey” and “Best Of” programs in this special 50th anniversary spring season.
SCHOOL
THE ACADEMIC TEAM FROM Yeshiva of Flatbush Joel Braverman High School has dominated so far on Cablevision’s The Challenge, proving their expertise in global events, local history, popular culture, art, literature, math and science. Benjamin Leinwand, Norman Greenberg, Eddie Mishaan, Dovie Rosenberg (and Hillel Landman as alternate) are moving on to the Tri-State Regionals in a match-up against Long Island’s Sachem North High School. The winning team will advance to the Tri-State Semi-Finals. The match will air on News 12 at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., June 8.
IN OTHER NEWS
POLICE EXPERT Gail Donoghue, who grew up in Bensonhurst and has a home with her husband in Windsor Terrance, has announced her retirement after 21 years of serving as Law Department special counsel for the city. Her input shaped many important legal decisions affecting security and criminal justice issues, including the subway bag inspection case and the Handschu consent decree regarding police surveillance rights. She also helped to protect Central Park’s Great Lawn. Donoghue oversaw more than 140 lawyers in the Special Federal Litigation and Family Court Divisions.
An outpouring of kind quotes about Donoghue followed the announcement of her retirement. Even her competitors remember her as a formidable rival. New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) Associate Legal Director Christopher Dunn, who was Donoghue’s direct adversary in several high-profile cases against the NYPD, said: “Gail has been on the opposite side of many disputes we have had with the Police Department, but we have always respected her as a tough advocate for the city. Having dealt with Gail for many years on a wide range of police issues, I know her departure will be a big loss for the Law Department.”
BRIEFLY NOTED
Councilman Vincent Gentile and the NY Department of Transportation today announced a public toilet will be placed at the 69th Street Pier in Bay Ridge as part of the City’s next round of public toilet locations. Gentile originally suggested the 69th Street pier site to the DOT, given the fact that ferry service at that location brings in hundreds of daily riders.
— Compiled by Caitlin McNamara
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