2007 RUSSEL WRIGHT AWARDS RECOGNIZE HERMAN MILLER, MITCHELL WOLFSON, JR.
The 2007 Russel Wright Awards were presented at the ninth annual awards Luncheon and Auction on September 30 at The Garrison in Garrison, NY.
Herman Miller, Inc. received the Russel Wright Award for design, with special recognition for the roles the company plays in marketing modernism, pioneering environmental practices, and advancing public education about good design.
For more than 80 years, Herman Miller's partnerships with the world's leading industrial designers have produced innovative products for home and office. The company's leadership of a growing movement to promote awareness and education about authentic design is especially exciting as Manitoga enters into partnership with the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Preserve the Modern initiative.
The company's Perfect Vision strategy aims to achieve a wide range of sustainability targets, including zero waste to landfills and zero hazardous waste generation by the year 2020.
Filmmaker Eames Demetrios, grandson of legendary design couple Charles and Ray Eames and a principal in the Eames Foundation, introduced Herman Miller at the awards luncheon. Board Chairman Hilda Longinotti accepted the award on behalf of the company.
Mitchell "Mickey" Wolfson, Jr. received the second Russel Wright Award for Stewardship of Modernism. In terms of sharing the sheer exuberance of modern design, Mickey Wolfson's Wolfsonian Institute at Florida International University and his Wolfsoniana Museum in Genoa, Italy are unparalleled.
Like Russel Wright, whose Manitoga became a quest to help us learn how to live in harmony with nature in an increasingly frenetic world, Mickey Wolfson's collecting became a tool to encourage people to see the world in new ways. The Wolfsonian and Wolfsoniana Museum use objects to illustrate the persuasive power of art and design to explore what it means to be modern, and to tell the story of social, political and technological changes that have transformed our world.
Michele Oka Doner, internationally acclaimed artist and designer, introduced Wolfson. Oka Doner and Wolfson donated an autographed collector's first limited edition of their new book, Miami Beach: Blueprint of an Eden, a deeply personal portrayal of Miami Beach from the 1920s through the 1960s.
Sotheby's Vice Chairman David Redden served as auctioneer for this year's outstanding offering of modern furnishings and decorative arts, including rare Russel Wright Bauer Pottery and other Russel Wright collectibles, Herman Miller's newly re-issued George Nelson Swag Leg Desk and Chair, and objects from Eva Zeisel, Jens Risom, Maharam and Alexander Girard.
Taconic Garden Lounges from Munder Skiles, offerings from Thomas O'Brien's new collection for Reed and Barton, cookware from Martha Stewart's new Macy's collection, and exciting lots from Ralph Lauren, Gabrielle Sanchez, Chelsea Editions, Ted Muehling, Design Within Reach and Buck House join beach weekends, boating packages and gift certificates for favorite Hudson Valley boutiques and eateries rounded out the fare.
Kristen Sorenson, Eric Stark, Gabrielle Sanchez and Mahmoud Shahbodaghi chaired this year's event; Chuck Burleigh and Lithgow Osborne returned as Auction Chairs.