Spectacular Vernacular

Spectacular Vernacular presents Parsons & Charlesworth's 2016 solo exhibition at the Chicago Cultural Center. Along with many photos of the exhibition and the process of its creation, the book contains Agile Ciphers for Cultural Truths, a ‘hybrid essay’ by Chicago-based writer Lee Ann Norman, providing insight into the ideas, theories, and interests that influence their design practice. The book also includes a transcript from a panel discussion moderated by Zoë Ryan, the John H. Bryan Chair and Curator of Architecture and Design at the Art Institute of Chicago. The launch of this book coincided with the opening of Spectacular Vernacular at the Brooks Stevens Gallery at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2018. ISBN: 9780578402062
Dimensions: 7 x 9.5″, 152 pages
Materials: Paperback book, rubberband binding

 

Parsons & Charlesworth
(Logan Square)

Working across a variety of media, Parsons & Charlesworth create objects, exhibits, texts and images that encourage reflection upon the current and future state of our designed culture. Considering objects as agents of change, the studio explores new typologies and prototypes alternate ways of living, often using narrative and speculation to propose scenarios that comment on contemporary issues. Founded by designers Tim Parsons and Jessica Charlesworth as a formal art and design studio in 2014 after years of informal collaboration, Parsons & Charlesworth became the grounding place to explore how object design can play a greater cultural role in the exploration of subjects such as climate change, personal survival and happiness.