‘Design for a Living World’ opens at Gables Museum

July 29th, 2012
Design for a Living World opening reception

A guest reads about one of the collection items.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Unique furniture is part the Design for a Living World collection.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Design for a Living World at the Coral Gables Museum.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Design for a Living World at the Coral Gables Museum.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Museum patrons take in the exhibit.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Objects from Design for a Living World.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Objects from Design for a Living World.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Guests enjoy the reception at the Coral Gables Museum.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Chris Rupp and Arva Moore Parks.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Daniel Nelson, Laura Galbraith and Patrick Harris.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Doug Jolly and Arva Moore Parks.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Francisco Caldera and Joy Ruiz.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Guests at the Bombay Sapphire bar.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Jennifer and Joanne Williams.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Randeli Rivera and Bombay Sapphire World Experiential.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Simonetta Marin and Ketsia Julmeus.

Design for a Living World opening reception

Tony Gebauer, Chris Rupp, Aura Reinhardt and Tom Gabroski.

A guest reads about one of the collection items.Unique furniture is part the Design for a Living World collection.Design for a Living World at the Coral Gables Museum.Design for a Living World at the Coral Gables Museum.Museum patrons take in the exhibit.Objects from Design for a Living World.Objects from Design for a Living World.Guests enjoy the reception at the Coral Gables Museum.Chris Rupp and Arva Moore Parks.Daniel Nelson, Laura Galbraith and Patrick Harris.Doug Jolly and Arva Moore Parks.Francisco Caldera and Joy Ruiz.Guests at the Bombay Sapphire bar.Jennifer and Joanne Williams.Randeli Rivera and Bombay Sapphire World Experiential.Simonetta Marin and Ketsia Julmeus.Tony Gebauer, Chris Rupp, Aura Reinhardt and Tom Gabroski.

The internationally acclaimed exhibit Design for a Living World opened with a cocktail reception on Thursday, July 26, at the Coral Gables Museum, 285 Aragon Ave.

Making its final stop in a four-city, national tour, Design for a Living World features intriguing works from 10 of the world’s top designers whom The Nature Conservancy invited to create usable objects from sustainable materials found around the world.

Wood, wool, plants and other organic materials from the hardwood forests of Maine to the mangrove waterways of Micronesia were transformed into innovative yet practical items, such as a dress made of salmon leather from Southwest Alaska and furniture made of Chinese bamboo.

The exhibit includes photos by award-winning photojournalist Ami Vitale, who documented the people and places associated with the project.

Reception guests perused the collection while enjoying an open bar featuring the Bombay Sapphire World Experiential and appetizers.

The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 25, when The Nature Conservancy will host a closing celebration and live auction of the one-of-a-kind objects showcased in the exhibit.

For details about the exhibit, visit www.nature.org/media/design/index.html.

Photos by Betty Alvarez / Events Photographer