Nucleo TERRA: THE GRASS ARM-CHAIR 2000 photo: Maria Elena Moretti   Some works explore the role of the user in their creation and function: Thomas Bernstrand's do swing, a light you can swing from, provides both illumination and exercise; the multiple components of Dunne & Raby's Placebo Project explore our often anxious relationship to electronic goods (far right); and www.fortunecookies.dk's Felt 12x12, a set of flexible, modular building blocks, enables individuals to create their own garments and accessories (pictured on back cover). Other contemporary designs embrace multiple functions, as evinced in Paolo Ulian's Cabriolet/Occasional Table, which converts from a table into a storage chest or a bench. Pointing to the dynamism of mobile architecture are several works that offer the possibility of a nomadic existence, such as Martín Ruiz de Azúa's Basic House, a personal shelter that fits into your pocket and can be deployed when needed (pictured on front cover); or Shigeru Uchida's modernist updates to the traditional teahouse, which give the structure the paradoxical feeling of both exposure and enclosure (right). The transformation of the everyday can be seen in a number of projects ranging from Buildings of Disaster, a series of miniatures depicting sites of famous calamities, to Doug Garofalo's Markow Residence, a radical alteration of a typical suburban ranch house. This exhibition debuts several new projects, including Mobile Dwelling Unit by LOT-EK (see below); Dialog, an interactive multimedia table designed specifically for the Walker that allows multiple users to simultaneously obtain information about artworks; and Free Play, a new customizable shelving system by Minneapolis-based Blu Dot. Martìn Ruiz de Azúa BASIC HOUSE 2000 photo: Daniel Riera   www.fortunecookies.dk FELT 12x12 2001 photo: Gabriella Dahlman     Marcel Wanders OZEANA FROM AIRBORNE SNOTTY VASES 2001 photo: Maarten van Houten Michael Anastassiades (U.K.) Atelier Bow-Wow (Japan) Shigeru Ban (Japan) Jop van Bennekom (the Netherlands) Thomas Bernstrand (the Netherlands) Jurgen Bey (the Netherlands) Blu Dot (U.S.) Boym Partners Incorporated (U.S.) Julian Lion Boxenbaum (U.S./Italy) Moreno Ferrari (C.P. Company) (Italy) Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby (U.K.) Elephant Design (Japan) Doug Garofalo (U.S.) Markku Hedman (Finland) Koers, Zeinstra, van Gelderen (the Netherlands) LOT-EK (U.S.) MVRDV (the Netherlands) Nucleo (Italy) Marijn van der Poll (the Netherlands) Jennifer Siegal (Office of Mobile Design) (U.S.) R&Sie... (France) Martìn Ruiz de Azúa (Spain) Alejandro Stöberl (Argentina) su11 (U.S.) Frank Tjepkema and Peter van der Jagt (the Netherlands) Shigeru Uchida (Japan) Paolo Ulian (Italy) Marek Walczak, Michael McAllister, Peter Kennard, and Jakub Segen (U.S.) Marcel Wanders (the Netherlands) Allan Wexler (U.S.) Rachel Whiteread (U.K.) www.fortunecookies.dk (Denmark)

Thomas Bernstrand DO SWING 2001 photo: Bianca Pilet

STRANGELY FAMILIAR: DESIGN AND EVERYDAY LIFE The Walker-produced exhibition catalogue includes essays by Jonathan Bell, London-based design critic and editor of Carchitecture: When the Car and the City Collide and The Transformable House; Aaron Betsky, Director of the Netherlands Architecture Institute; exhibition curator-Walker Design Director Andrew Blauvelt; and Jamer Hunt, director of the graduate program in industrial design at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Hardcover: $29.95 ($26.96 Walker members).

LOT-EK: MDU LOT-EK: MDU extensively documents the transformation of a standardized shipping container into a portable living space. Featuring source imagery, animation renderings, construction drawings, and photographs of the fabrication process. Essays by Aaron Betsky, Dr. Robert Kronenburg, and Henry Urbach as well as an interview with the artists provide important contexts for understanding the Mobile Dwelling Unit project. Published by DAP/Distributed Art Publishers. Hardcover: $24.95 ($22.46 Walker members).

TOUR SCHEDULE
The Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh
November 8, 2003-February 15, 2004

Lille 2004 Capitale Européenne de la Culture Musée de l'Hospice Comtesse, Lille, France
September 4-November 28, 2004

Other venues to be announced.


RELATED EVENTS
MOBILE DWELLING UNIT
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7
MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN
Look for two projects from Strangely Familiar in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: LOT-EK's Mobile Dwelling Unit, a 40-foot-long shipping container transformed into an expandable living space, makes its debut at the Walker (open to the public Thursdays, 1-8 pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am-5 pm). And appearing for the first time in the United States is Koers, Zeinstra, Van Gelderenís Tumble House, a multifunctional structure that can be rotated into six different positions, each of which changes the function of interior elements.
MOBILE DWELLING UNIT (MDU) WAS ORGANIZED BY THE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA, AND LOT-EK, NEW YORK

FREE TOURS
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2 PM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2 PM


JULY EVENTS
SUMMER OF DESIGN
MONDAYS, JULY 15, 17, AUGUST 7, 2003, 7 PM
Presented in conjunction with the exhibition, this lecture series features leading global practitioners in architectural, typographic, and product design.

CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS' LUNCHEON
MONDAY, JULY 21, 12 NOON-2 PM, $30 PER PERSON
Walker Contributing members and friends are cordially invited to attend a special luncheon in conjunction with the exhibition. Curator Andrew Blauvelt provides an introduction to Strangely Familiar, then leads guests on a tour of the galleries. To attend this event, call 612.375.7655 by July 15.

FREE TOURS
SUNDAY, JULY 6, 2 PM
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 2 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 2 PM
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2 PM
Join the Walker Art Center's knowledgeable tour guides for a lively, engaging, and informative tour of the exhibition.

JUNE EVENTS
EXHIBITION PREVIEW PARTY
SATURDAY, JUNE 7, 9 PM-12 MIDNIGHT $14 ($7 WALKER MEMBERS)
A house that fits in your hand? A table that knows where it is? A coat that becomes a tent? Sound strange? Then see for yourself at the exhibition preview party.

OPENING-DAY DISCUSSION: ON THE MOVE
SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2 PM $8 ($6 WALKER AND AIA MEMBERS) AUDITORIUM
Permanent addresses are so last century! Today's cosmopolitan nomads need portable pads and innovative architects and designers who can create more flexible and dynamic solutions for their mobile lifestyles. Join artist Allan Wexler, Giuseppe Lignano and Ada Tolla of LOT-EK, Jennifer Siegal of the Office of Mobile Design, and Jurjen Zeinstra of Koers, Zeinstra, van Gelderen as they discuss their projects and the issues surrounding portable dwellings. Moderated by Dr. Robert Kronenburg, author of Houses in Motion and other writings on portable architecture. This lecture is worth 1.5 continuing education hours for AIA members.
THIS LECTURE WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM AARON AND CAROL MACK.

FREE TOURS
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 2003, 2 PM
SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2003, 2 PM
Join the Walker Art Center's knowledgeable tour guides for a lively, engaging, and informative tour of the exhibition.


EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
DIALOG
An interactive multimedia table designed by Marek Walczak, Michael McAllister, Peter Kennard, and Jakub Segen, Dialog functions like a regular table but utilizes digital technologies and an innovative interface to facilitate learning more about the arts. Designed to create links between disciplines and ideas in the Walker's programming, the table also fosters connections among visitors by identifying items of mutual interest, and will also provide social learning experiences in the Walker's new building expansion (scheduled for completion in 2005). Gesture recognition and video-tracking software allow multiple users to interact simultaneously with a variety of information appearing on the screen. This prototype was selected as the winning entry in an international competition held by the Walker in 2002.
COMMISSIONED BY THE WALKER ART CENTER WITH FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

OPEN HOUSE: MOBILE DWELLING UNIT AND TUMBLE HOUSE
JUNE 8-SEPTEMBER 7: THURSDAYS, 1-8 PM; SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS, 11 AM-5 PM FREE
MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN
Look for two projects from Strangely Familiar in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden: LOT-EK's Mobile Dwelling Unit, a 40-foot-long shipping container transformed into an expandable living space, makes its debut at the Walker; and appearing for the first time in the United States is Koers, Zeinstra, van Gelderen's Tumble House, a multifunctional structure that can be rotated into six different positions, each of which changes the function of interior elements.
LOT-EK: MOBILE DWELLING UNIT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE UNIVERSITY ART MUSEUM, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA BARBARA.



THE NORTH AMERICAN TOUR OF STRANGELY FAMILIAR: DESIGN AND EVERYDAY LIFE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM TARGET STORES.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THIS EXHIBITION IS PROVIDED BY THE MONDRIAAN FOUNDATION, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE NETHERLANDS CULTURE FUND OF THE DUTCH MINISTRIES FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND EDUCATION, CULTURE, AND SCIENCE; AND THE PRINCE BERNHARD CULTURAL FOUNDATION. IN-KIND ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY BOUWBEDRIJF DE NIJS, KIRIN BREWERY COMPANY, LTD., AND SCHROEDER COMPANY. PROMOTIONAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY MPLS.ST.PAUL MAGAZINE.