DESIGN DISPATCH

The International Library of Fashion Research Heads to Oslo, and Other News

Our daily look at the world through the lens of design.

The International Library of Fashion Research in Oslo. Photography by Mganus Gulliksen, courtesy of the International Library of Fashion Research

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An extensive library preserving fashion’s printed matter will soon open in Oslo.

“It’s rumored that the ghost of the old station master can be felt gliding through Stasjonsmesterboligen—the cream-colored, three-floor building located at the entrance to the scenic Aker Brygge area of Oslo. Dating back to the 1920s, it was once part of the former westbound railway station, yet today the site is host to another kind of ethereal presence. Now home to the International Library of Fashion Research (ILFR)—the brainchild of firebrand publisher Elise By Olsen—the Station Master’s House, as the building’s name translates, holds more than 5,000 pieces of contemporary printed matter that were once destined to be discarded. This notion of the ‘station between’ shaped Olsen’s ambition to open a place where the ephemerality of the material donated by late cultural theorist Steven Mark Klein can help steer critical fashion discourse. The doors open on Nov. 29.” [H/T Wallpaper

The Royal College of Art unveils a design scholarship in the late Virgil Abloh’s name. 

“The Royal College of Art on Monday unveiled the RCA Virgil Abloh Scholarship, named for the late designer who served as a visiting professor at the London institution. The scholarship will be offered to a talented, yet financially restricted, Black British student in any program at the RCA’s School of Design. It will cover full tuition fees and maintenance support, totaling 35,000 pounds. The selected student will also benefit from industry experience and networking opportunities and will be supported by designer Samuel Ross and fellow creative industries partners throughout their studies.” [H/T WWD]

The International Forest Stadium in Milan by Stefano Boeri Architetti. Image courtesy Stefano Boeri Architetti

Stefano Boeri Architetti unveils a forested stadium and park in the heart of Milan.

“The International Forest Stadium by Stefano Boeri Architetti will host the new home for the Milan teams’ football fans, standing as a new landmark for the San Siro area and the city. Set in the heart of a 11-acre public urban park, the project makes nature the protagonist of the football experience, introducing a new urban landscape for all citizens. Developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, including ARUP, Fabio Novembre, and Balich Wonder Studio, the winning proposal is part of a competition, announced in 2019 by the Inter and Milan teams, for the new Milan Stadium.” [H/T Designboom]

A new online database will detail thousands of looted Benin Bronzes around the world.

“A new online database listing works of art looted from the Kingdom of Benin has launched, shining a light on 5,000 looted objects housed at more than 100 museums worldwide. The timely new digital catalog Digital Benin, described as the first ‘comprehensive database of the Benin bronzes,’ could accelerate the restitution of the ancient African artifacts from institutions and collections worldwide. The so-called Benin bronzes have become a touchstone to test European museums’ readiness to restitute heritage looted from Africa in the colonial era. After the violent 1897 plunder and devastation of the Royal Palace of Benin by British troops, at least 3,000 artifacts were dispersed internationally.” [H/T The Art Newspaper]

Adidas appoints former Puma chief Bjorn Gulden as its next chief executive officer.

“Adidas has appointed former Puma chief executive officer Bjorn Gulden as its next CEO effective Jan. 1 as the larger German sportswear company seeks to move on from a crisis over its terminated partnership with rapper Ye. Current Adidas chief Kasper Rorsted will step down Friday and chief financial officer Harm Ohlmeyer will serve as interim CEO through the end of the year, the company said in a statement. Gulden, 57, will inherit a company embroiled in crises on several continents. Adidas recently terminated its Yeezy partnership following a string of offensive and antisemitic remarks from the hip-hop artist and designer formerly known as Kanye West.” [H/T Business of Fashion]

The McGrath Road housing project by Peter Barber. Photography by Morley von Sternberg

Peter Barber wins this year’s Soane Medal for helping tackle the U.K.’s housing crisis.

“British architect Peter Barber has been named the winner of the Soane Medal for having ‘devoted his life’ to helping to resolve the U.K.’s housing crisis. Barber, who is the founder of the London-based studio Peter Barber Architects, was hailed by the jury for his work in social and affordable housing. Since it was founded in 2001, his studio has created projects on tricky and neglected sites across London, with standout examples including the Mount Pleasant hostel for homeless people and the addition of 15 homes added to the post-war Kiln Place. Elsewhere in London, his studio recently completed the McGrath Road affordable housing scheme that won the RIBA Neave Brown Award for Housing 2021.” [H/T Dezeen]

A new study suggests that artwork in the workplace improves employee well-being. 

“It may seem obvious that looking at an artwork is less depressing than staring at the sad gray enclosure of your office cubicle, but now, there is research to back it up. A new research study found that for 69 percent of participants, having ‘interesting and visually striking art’ at the workplace contributes to their well-being. Brookfield Properties, a real estate development and operations firm, tapped Perspectus Global for the research study concerning the factors that make employees most effective and inspired in the workplace.” [H/T Hyperallergic]

Still from the Arthur episode “Binky Barnes, Art Expert” (1997). Image © 1997 WGBH. Underlying TM/© Marc Brown

Today’s attractive distractions:

Walter de Maria’s Lightning Field communes with Herman Melville and Web3.

An old episode of Arthur may have predicted the upside-down Mondrian.

Archaeologists uncover a secret tunnel beneath Egypt’s Taposiris Magna.

Milton Gendel’s archives reveal an American vision of 20th-century Rome.

All Stories