Exhibit Columbus

Exhibit Columbus is an annual exploration of architecture, art, design, and community.

The inaugural edition of Exhibit Columbus opens to the public on Saturday, August 26 with a schedule of festivities that begins on Thursday, August 24. There will be events happening throughout the weekend as Columbus celebrates its architecture and design, the 18 Exhibit Columbus installations in and around downtown, the architects and designers participating in the exhibition, and the vibrant community that made it all happen.

Miller Prize installations
The J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize Competition honors two great patrons of architecture, art, and design by furthering their mission to make Columbus the best community of its size. Ten finalists participated in the 2016 symposium and presented proposals for temporary installations that respond to iconic sites on Fifth Street. Five prize-winning designs were selected by the jury to transform the cityscape and spark new conversations about Columbus’ design heritage during the exhibition.

Another Circle by Aranda\Lasch at Mill Race Park
Presenting sponsor: Upland Brewing Company

Anything can happen in the woods by Plan B Architecture & Urbanism at Cummins Corporate Office Building
Presenting sponsor: Cummins Inc.

Conversation Plinth by IKD at Cleo Rogers Memorial Library
Presenting sponsor: Elwood Staffing

The Exchange by Oyler Wu Collaborative at Irwin Conference Center

Wiikiaami by studio:indigenous at First Christian Church
Presenting sponsor: Haddad Foundation
 

Washington Street installations
For the 2017 exhibition Exhibit Columbus worked with five leading international design galleries to create innovative installations along Washington Street—Columbus’ “main street.” Each of the five galleries selected one designer from its stable, and each designer was challenged to create an object or experience that enhances human interaction and connection and that inspires community conversations about the role of design in daily life.

Columbus Circles by PRODUCTORA (Mexico City)
Selected by Maniera (Brussels)

PAUSE by Pettersen & Hein (Copenhagen)
Selected by Etage Projects (Copenhagen)

Playhouse by Snarkitecture (New York)
Selected by Volume Gallery (Chicago)

Window to Columbus by Formafantasma (Amsterdam) 
Selected by Dzek (London)

Theoretical Foyer by Cody Hoyt (Brooklyn)
Selected by Patrick Parrish Gallery (New York City)

University installations
Located on the grounds of Central Middle School and next to Lincoln Elementary, the University Installations showcase the cutting-edge work of five Midwestern universities with masters programs in architecture and design.

Ball State University
College of Architecture and Planning

The Ohio State University
Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture

University of Cincinnati
School of Architecture and Interior Design

University of Kentucky
College of Design, School of Architecture

University of Michigan
Architecture Program, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

In addition, Indiana University School of Art & Design students and instructors have created an installation at North Christian Church.

High School installation
With its bright colors and walls that gently vibrate in the breeze, Between the Threads is meant to be playful and inviting. The work is pieced together by ten-foot high steel frames wrapped in plastic lacing string. The panels create a maze for viewers, who slowly become wrapped by color while still remaining able to see and be seen between the threads. The bright colors were inspired by the work of Alexander Girard, whose vivid work is present throughout Columbus. Acknowledging the white scaffolding and bold colors of the neighboring AT&T Switching Center, the piece contrasts starkly with the colorless, flat walls of the Historic Post Office.

Opening weekend schedule
Thursday, August 24
5–5:30pm / High School installation opening celebration / free
Historic Post Office Building

5:30–9pm / Community Artwalk / free
Various locations / Presented by Columbus Area Arts Council

Friday, August 25
11–11:30am / University installations opening celebration / free
Central Middle School

6–11pm / Exhibit Columbus preview party / ticketed event
Mill Race Park

Saturday, August 26
8:30am–2pm / The Architect’s Newspaper opening conversations / free
Cleo Rogers Memorial Library Red Room

2–4:30pm / Exhibition opening celebration / free
5th Street to Mill Race Park

4:30–7pm / Mill Race Park 25th anniversary celebration / free
Mill Race Park

4:30–8pm / Miller House and Garden champagne tours / ticketed tours
Depart from Columbus Area Visitors Center

Tickets for the preview party can be purchased here.

About Exhibit Columbus
With an inaugural symposium in fall of 2016 and the first exhibit opening August 2017, Exhibit Columbus seeks to celebrate Columbus’ design heritage while making it relevant to new audiences. Funding for Exhibit Columbus has come from a wide range of individuals, foundations, and corporations around the state of Indiana. Exhibit Columbus is the signature project of Landmark Columbus, which was created in 2015 to “care for and celebrate the world-renowned design heritage of the Columbus, Indiana area.” Landmark Columbus is a program of Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

Exhibit Columbus is launched with founding support from the Columbus Area Visitors Center, Columbus Museum of Art Design, Cummins Inc., Efroymson Family Fund, Haddad Foundation, Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, Irwin-Sweeney-Miller Foundation, Johnson Ventures, Moravec Realty, Schumaker Family and SIHO Insurance Services.

Media contacts
Richard McCoy, Landmark Columbus: richard@landmarkcolumbus.org / T 317 603 0020
Elizabeth Kubany, KubanyJudlowe: elizabeth@kubanyjudlowe.com / T 212 951 1895