Public by Design, the fourth Exhibit Columbus exhibition, opens today with 13 new works of art and architecture designed to celebrate and entertain while expanding the legacy of Columbus and its architectural heritage.
At more than a year in the making, the Exhibit Columbus installations are planning an activation moment and a tour will be offered for visitors to learn more about the design teams.
This opening weekend is the only opportunity for visitors to interact with the entire Public by Design team, including six Curatorial Partners, four J. Irwin and Xenia S. Miller Prize Recipients, seven University Design Research Fellows, High School Design Team, and Communication Designer, as well as residents of Columbus and visitors from around the world.
“This exhibition shows how working together in the public realm with art and architecture allows us to achieve a purpose much greater than we can alone,” said Richard McCoy the executive director of Landmark Columbus Foundation, the nonprofit organization that created Exhibit Columbus. “Our curatorial team has taken a unique approach to get here, one that combines deep connections within our community with international expertise to shepherd this exhibition into existence.”
Today opens with an Exhibition Tour at 9:30 a.m. which begins at Hotel Indigo, followed by Curatorial Conversations from 2 to 3:30 p.m., at First Christian Church.
During the day today, there are activities planned at each of the installations, including a saxophone set at Side Effects, a game day at Ground Rules and more. All activities are offered free.
Among those activities is a chance to imagine the future of the Bartholomew County Public Library, from 10 a.m. to noon at the library, 536 Fifth St.
Also planned is a Rock the Block party and dance show from 7 to 10 p.m. today at Fourth and Washington streets, the site of one of the Miller Prize installations, Interoculus, which features a lighted dome over the intersection. The party is free.
The exhibition remains on display until Nov. 26, with additional events being planned during the time the installations are here. Among those activities are Miller Prize Conversations with each recipient and special guest, Next Generation Day, an event for youth and families, and Activations in Space: the 2023 University Design Research Fellowship Colloquium, created in partnership with Ball State University and Indiana University to highlight the work of UDRFellows.
Visit exhibitcolumbus.org for the ongoing schedule of projects and events.
Activities set for Saturday
- 9 to 9:30 a.m. — At PIPE UP! next to Hotel Indigo, 400 Brown St. Kickoff the Exhibition Tour with coffee and pastries at Hotel Indigo.
- 10 to noon — At Designed by the Public, RESPONDER, and Sylvan Scrapple at the Bartholomew County Public Library Plaza. Learn about each installation and help Imagine the Library’s Future.
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Across the street from Machi. Matthew Rust from Century 21 Breeden Realtors will create a free screen print of the Columbus logo on the corner of 7th and Washington streets.
- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — At Machi, at Cummins Inc. parking garage between Sixth and Seventh . Book storytime with free snow cones between Sixth and Seventh Street with Viewpoint Books and Sno Biz.
- 3 to 4 p.m. — At “A Carousel for Columbus” near Fourth and Washington streets. Join the High School Design Team Alumni Group for a pop-up performance by the band Treasured in the new “Ovation Plaza” on 4th Street.
- 4 to 6 p.m. — At Ground Rules at the southwest corner of the Cummins Corporate Office Building. Join the High School Design Team Alumni Group for a few rounds of Bocce Ball in the installation with snacks and drinks.
- 5 to 6 p.m. — At Side Effects at The Commons entrance at 300 Washington St. Join the High School Design Team Alumni Group for a pop-up saxophone performance by Alex Farrar.
- 7 to 10:00 p.m. — At InterOculus, Fourth and Washington streets. Rock the Block free street dance party.
- 9:30 to 9:45 p.m. — At RESPONDER, outside the children’s area in the lower level brick stair area of the Bartholomew County Public Library, 536 Fifth St. Theimnstallation will feature a “sounds of the library” presentation.
- 9:45 p.m. — At Echoes of the Hill near the amphitheater in Mill Race Park, 50 Carl Miske Drive — the movie “Super Mario Brothers” as part of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department’s Movies in the Park program.
