Twirling in one of Thomas Heatherwick’s “Spun Chairs” can loosen up even the most serious art patron. And relaxing in one is the best way to take in the exhibition “Designing Playful Cities” at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). “Designing Playful Cities” is a textbook exhibition curated by their Exhibitions Manager, Janelle Miniter. It showcases efforts by artists, architects, and designers to make our public spaces more playful. The highlight is the four installations that bring all of the documentation materials to life. Even though each of these installations would be stronger outside in the city (for which they were designed), they are integral to adding meaning to the exhibition.
“Designing Playful Cities” is the kind of exhibition where even my kids want to read all the text on the walls. There are about 31 top notch projects documented with text, image, and video throughout the exhibition. We went right down the line watching most of the videos and making travel plans to visit the craziest playgrounds. The projects included in the exhibition are mostly recent examples made in public spaces and produced by institutions like public art commissions and local government. The spirit seems aimed at inspiring today’s city and regional planners to consider play in their policies and strategies. Two of the examples are actually from Atlanta, including the Noguchi playground that we visited and wrote about here.
My interest in play as a mode of making or perceiving art and environments stems from sorting out my personal impulses towards achievement and certainty. Looking for lines between my relationship with my children and my relationship with art has brought this term to the forefront. The term “play,” like the idea of “beauty,” is complicated… misunderstood… necessary… and even dismissed. There are a number of exhibitions and books popping up that showcase play as a valid theme in making culture (like PLAY Kortrijk coming this summer!). With this critical mass of projects, we need more discourse and reflection.
“Designing Playful Cities” is up through May 13th. The museum maximizes their galleries and provides a friendly atmosphere. They have a small shop as well as workshops for kids and adults. MODA is right across the street from the High Museum of Art, and I look forward to going back! Mark your calendar because the second Sunday of every month is family free day!
