Paul Evans: Crossing Boundaries and Crafting

Cabinet (Turning ) (electronic), ca. 1986

 Describe this artwork and all of its details.  What do you think this could it be used for?  Is this artwork utilitarian or decorative? Or both? Explain.  Where do you think this would be placed?  This cabinet is electronic. How do you think it moves? Why?  Can you imagine other companion pieces to this one? How would they move?  What is the advantage to a cabinet that moves?  Do you like this work? Why or why not?

About the Artwork: Paul Evans, Cabinet (Turning Column) The electronics of this turning cabinet were (electronic), ca. 1986, Reverse-painted designed by Keith, Paul Evans’s son. This Plexiglas, 84 x 26.5 inches, Private collection. collaboration can be seen in their electronic Photography by Thomas Little. line. Since their worked on commission, there were never two pieces alike.

A reverse painting on Plexiglas, this turning cabinet has a feather-like texture and exemplifies Evans’s goal to gracefully incorporate devices into the interiors of what he was designing. Paul and Keith sold the electronic furniture line through the Design Institute America, represented at The Merchandise Mart in . The pair found that the technical challenges of the electronic pieces were difficult, and the line never became a success.

Download a copy of these activities on Learn with the Michener: www.Learn.MichenerArtMuseum.org K-12 Activities for Your School Visit and Classroom

Visual Arts/Language Arts/Art History/Mathematics

Pre-Visit Activities:

 What is electronic furniture? Research the meaning and share your answers with a classmate.  Find examples of furniture that move. Similar to the remote for the TV, consider a , sofa, or lamp that could move. Are there any artists that work in this manner? Take notes in your sketchbook, discuss your ideas with a classmate.

Gallery Activities:

 Paul Evans and his son Keith designed a line of furniture that incorporated electronics. Analyze the turning column in the exhibition. How does it function? What are the advantages of the turning column? What kind of things were stored in the shelves?  Find another piece of furniture in the galleries. If you could have it move, what would it do? Explain.  Write an imaginary story about a family that owns the “Turning Column”. Who are they? What does the rest of their look like? What kind of other furniture do they have?

Post-Visit Activities:

 Motor sometimes rely on electronic devices and furniture to make most efficient use of their space. Draw your own version of the interior of a motor home. What elements would you make electronic? Write a paragraph about your design explaining it elements.  Illustrate a in a home that features electronic furniture. Using perspective, draw two versions of the same interior space. Draw the first with all of the electronic items hiding the remnants of everyday life, and the second showing the sculptural side of each piece. Take notes to compare how each space feels and looks.  Paul Evans created an embossed texture on “Turning Column” by using the technique of reverse painting on Plexiglas. Experiment with this technique to create an enlarge- ment of a section of the column.  Inspired by the texture Paul Evans designed on his “Turning Column”, create a tile. On a small piece of cardboard, glue flat found objects in a random arrangement; for example, use objects such as a button, pine needles, a piece of lace, a piece of burlap, etc.. Cover the board with a heavy weight tin foil and tape the ends on the back. Using the eraser end of a pencil, rub the foil around the objects glued underneath. Rub black ink into the cracks to emphasize the texture.

PA Standards in and Humanities: 9.1 A, 9.1 B, 9.1 C, 9.1 E, 9.1 F. 9.3 A, 9.3 B, 9.3 D 9.3 F.; National Common Core Standards for ELA: SL.1, 1.6, 1.8, SL.9, 9.1, 9.3, 9.4.

Download a copy of these activities on Learn with the Michener: www.Learn.MichenerArtMuseum.org