SMoCA Celebrates Spring
This season, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art collaborates with the Center for Philosophical Technologies—a strategic initiative of Arizona State University and a global hub for critical and speculative research on philosophy, technology and design—on a series of programs in conjunction with the exhibition Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined.
Additionally, the Mystery in the Museum and Trivia Night @SMoCA return, as well as The Art of Mindfulness. These events offer guests the opportunity to engage with artists, the community and museum goers to consider the questions and themes explored throughout the museum’s exhibitions.
Spring Opening Celebration
Fri., Feb. 14, 6–8 p.m.
Attendees can chat with curators, mingle with artists and explore the exhibitions.
Design Reboot: An International Conversation on Design Rehabilitation
Through May 17
SMoCA and the CPT at ASU present a series of public talks featuring five international designers included in the exhibition Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined on view through May 17. SMoCA and CPT have invited designers Luis Paco Böeckelmann (German, lives in United Kingdom), Jesper Eriksson (Swedish/Finnish, lives in United Kingdom), Wendy Plomp (Dutch, lives in The Netherlands), Kevin Rouff (American/French, lives in United Kingdom) and Remco van de Craats (Dutch, lives in The Netherlands) to participate in these events.
The CPT at ASU is an ambitious platform for research creation that aims to bring philosophy, design and technology together at the intersections of academic, para-academic, non-academic ways of knowing. Collaborating with CPT to present these series of events allows a broad audience to be introduced to the vibrancy of international design, specifically from the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
These events will not only enlarge an understanding of environmentally centered design but will also allow the designers to form new connections in the Southwest region of the United States.
Below are two public engagements:
Waste Not: Sustainable Approaches to Design
Sat., Feb. 15, 3 p.m.
Designers whose work is featured in Design Transfigured/Waste Reimagined discuss innovative approaches that address diminishing natural resources. Luis Paco Böeckelmann, Jesper Eriksson, Wendy Plomp, Kevin Rouff and Remco van de Craats join moderator Judith Hoos Fox, co-curator of the exhibition.
Alchemical Design: Reimagining Sustainability
Mon., Feb. 17, 6 p.m.
The CPT at ASU hosts a second discussion at ASU with international designers from Designed Transfigured/Waste Reimagined and Jason Schupbach, director of the School of Design, focusing on the scientific complexities of sustainable design. The roundtable will include Adam Nocek, CPT director, Stacey Moran, CPT Associate Director, Jason Schupbach, ASU School of Design director, and Ronald Broglio, ASU director of Desert Humanities.
Mystery in the Museum: The Case of the Cursed Collector
Fri., March 27, 6:30 p.m.
The museum is back with another mystery that invites attendees to follow the clues, solve the riddles, and, if they’re lucky, crack the case. Participants are highly encouraged to come dressed in Hitchcock-inspired attire.
Terrarium
Studio @SMoCA: Terrariums for Dry Climates with Dig It
Sat., March 28, Noon – 3 p.m.
The experts from Dig It Gardens are back at the museum to show participants how to create and care for their own terrarium.
Dog Days @SMoCA
Sat., April 4, 6 p.m.
The museum is opening its doors to its canine friends. Attendees can bring their pup for an evening of curated play and refreshments, includes a special sunset viewing in James Turrell’s Knight Rise Skyspace.
History of Plastics
Thurs., April 16, 7 p.m.
Writer and former journalist Christopher Geoffrey McPherson presents the history of one of the most significant and contested materials of our time: plastic. A selection of mid-century dinnerware from SMoCA’s collection will be on temporary display during the event.
The Art of Mindfulness
Sat., April 18, 2 p.m.
In this public talk and meditation, Buddhist monk Kelsang Tabkay explains how anxiety and stress have their roots in our state of mind and shows participants how to reduce and eventually overcome these conditions by working on one’s mind with a combination of meditation and positive thinking.
Trivia Night @SMoCA
Fri., April 24, 7 p.m.
Comedian Anwar Newton hosts an evening of movie, TV and music references that will test everyone’s pop culture IQ. Drop some knowledge on the SMoCA team to win prizes and become trivia champions.
Documentary Video Art Festival
Thurs., April 30, 7 p.m.
This is a showcase of experimental shorts highlighting social, cultural and personal topics. These artworks were produced by students in Documentary Video Art as part of the intermedia program of the School of Art, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, ASU.
Insight Art Tours
First and third Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
SMoCA curatorial staff and guest artists lead insightful 15-minute discussions about works of art on view.
Gallery Conversations
Thursdays and Saturdays, 12:30–2 p.m. and 5–6:30 p.m.
Sundays 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Museum docents are on hand throughout the galleries to provide knowledge about the works on view.
Spun Chair Nights @SMoCA
Thurs. and Sat., 5–8 p.m.
Enjoy “Murmuration” in one of the museum’s “Spun Chairs.” “Murmuration” is a site-specific artwork by Squidsoup that uses digital processes, light and sound to create a dynamic audiovisual experience suspended around the exterior of the museum.
