Two Archival Florence Knoll Seats Finally See the Light, and Other News

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Two Archival Florence Knoll Seats Finally See the Light

Florence Knoll’s sharp design acumen cemented her namesake company as an international arbiter of style and design, defining the standard for postwar America’s corporate interiors with modern notions of efficiency and space planning. Some of the luminary’s best designs, however, are still hiding in the archives. That’s precisely the case for the Model 31 lounge chair and Model 33 sofa, both of which were taken out of production in 1968 so Knoll could prioritize then-burgeoning panel-based office systems. In a tribute to Florence Knoll’s lasting legacy, both pieces are being reissued. 

“Model 31 and Model 33 are well-proportioned, rectilinear forms that serve as vehicles for textile and color within interiors,” says Jonathan Olivares, Knoll’s senior vice president of design. The lightweight yet sturdy pieces, an early example of Knoll experimenting with tubular steel frames, are now available to upholster in a wider range of textiles, from colorful weaves to durable leathers and vinyl. “This reissue underscores how considered reduction stands the test of time,” Olivares continues. “We’re thrilled to make these archival pieces available to the public once again.” —Ryan Waddoups

Louis Buhl is moving to a Lorcan O’Herlihy–designed space in Detroit’s East Village.

Louis Buhl & Co. is moving its art gallery from downtown Detroit to a former convent in the city’s East Village in a renovation led by architecture firm Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA). The new space will feature a production studio, retail area, and a large exhibition hall with translucent panels. An additional structure will house the gallery’s archives, and a courtyard will be used for outdoor events. The project is part of a broader cultural resurgence in the area, which includes a community arts center in a former church, a Tony Hawk–designed skate park, and a mixed-use art facility called Lantern. The gallery’s move is slated for late next year, aligning with other arts-focused developments in the neighborhood spearheaded by Anthony and JJ Curis, the cofounders of Library Street Collective and Louis Buhl & Co.

King Charles III and Jony Ive’s Terra Carta Design Lab is launching a second edition.

The Terra Carta Design Lab is launching its second edition, inviting students and recent alumni from select global design schools to propose impactful, low-cost solutions for the climate crisis. Originally initiated in 2021 by King Charles III and Sir Jony Ive, the program is part of the Sustainable Markets Initiative aimed at combating climate and biodiversity issues. Submissions will be evaluated by an expert panel led by Ive, with winners announced in fall 2024 to receive mentorship and support for scaling their ideas. The program’s expansion aims to source innovative design solutions from a broader pool of next-generation creative leaders.

Marc Newson collaborates with Flite to create the world’s lightest electric hydrofoil.

Marc Newson has teamed up with Flite, an Australian watersports company, to create an innovative electric hydrofoil, known as the eFoil MN Series. Launched at the London Design Festival, the hydrofoil is crafted from high-modulus pre-peg carbon fiber, a material typically used in aerospace engineering. Weighing less than 45 pounds, it’s touted as the world’s lightest eFoil. The design also features titanium accents for added durability and an updated Flite Controller that provides real-time performance feedback. The hydrofoil comes in two sizes to cater to riders of varying experience levels and body weights. The product aims to streamline both manufacturing and appearance, reducing the number of interfacing parts and, consequently, the overall weight.

Cosmoscow, once Russia’s leading global art fair, is opening amid geopolitical tensions.

Cosmoscow, once a leading art fair in Moscow, is facing challenges due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Now in its 11th edition, the fair has almost no non-Russian galleries and has shifted its venue to Moscow’s financial district. The new location, the Expocentre, was recently hit by a drone strike that Russian officials blame on Ukraine. Alisa Contemporary Art Gallery, which recently opened a location in Dubai, will showcase works by Kirill Makarov that carry anti-war messages. Meanwhile, Shaltai Editions is rebranding to Set Projects after its founder’s husband was declared a “foreign agent” for speaking against Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Michael Tsarev, a Russian financier based in Munich, is also participating in the fair, despite selling part of his art collection earlier this year due to the geopolitical tensions.

An archaeologist accuses the Manhattan DA’s office of abusing intellectual property. 

Christos Tsirogiannis, a Greek forensic archaeologist, has publicly criticized the Manhattan District Attorney’s Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) for failing to credit him for his research contributions to their artifact repatriation missions. Since 2017, Tsirogiannis has aided the ATU in recovering nearly 4,500 looted items from 29 countries, valued at more than $375 million. Despite his significant role, he claims the DA’s office has ignored or downplayed his contributions in official announcements, describing it as an “abuse of his intellectual property.” Tsirogiannis, who currently heads illicit antiquities trafficking research for UNESCO, emphasized that he never sought payment, only proper acknowledgment for his work. 

Today’s attractive distractions:

Artists in Montauk partake in a summertime “drunk vs. stoned” soccer match.

Frank Rubio sets the U.S. record as the first man in space for a whole year.

This fierce crew of Floridian shark taggers are scientists and drag queens.

Julian Schnabel gives a nightmarish interview about his new velvet paintings.