links:

October 14, 2013 Lecture by Founder and CEO of Furniture Design Studio, Blu Dot

John Christakos, founder and CEO of innovative furniture company, Blu Dot, will present “Design from the Inside Out.” Collaboration is central to Blu Dot’s design process, which strives “to bring good design to as many people as possible.” Christakos will talk about his company’s inventive use of materials, playful sensibility, and fabrication and assembly strategies.

The Robert B. Church III Memorial Lecture Series brings recognized architects and designers to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Architecture and Design each semester. Free and open to the public, the series also includes exhibitions and films.

All events will be held at the Art and Architecture Building, 1715 Volunteer Blvd. Lectures will begin at 5:30 p.m. and films will be shown at 8 p.m. in the McCarty Auditorium. The exhibitions will be featured in the Ewing Gallery and Gallery 103. Webcasts of the lectures are also available at https://tiny.utk.edu/church-lectures.

Design professionals may receive continuing education credits by attending or viewing the lectures, and students may receive supplemental experience hours in the Intern Development Program of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

Here is a video about the history of Blu Dot:

Upcoming Lectures:

  • Nov. 4: Pavel Zoubok and Rachael Lawe will present “Collage Culture: From Picasso to Facebook.” The pair are from the International Collage Center, an organization dedicated to the research and presentation of collage in its various forms, which provides narrative through collage that is both aesthetic and cultural. The lecture is given in partnership with the UT School of Art.

Exhibitions:

  • Oct. 14–24: Blu Dot: Design from the Inside Out, Gallery 103
  • Oct. 28–Dec. 8: Remix: Selections from the International Center for Collage and Collage Works by Richard Meier, the Ewing Gallery
  • Oct. 28–Nov. 21: Brian R. Jobe: Replies, Gallery 103

Films:

  • Oct. 23: “Amores Perros” (2006) by Alejandro González Iñárritu
  • Nov. 6: “Tree of Life” (2011) by Terrence Malick

Webcasts:

To access the webcasts, biographies, and continuing education sections for each lecturer, please visit here. Cohen’s presentation will be available for viewing here.