Kendall College Of Art And Design To Host Internationally Renowned Designer, Vladimir Kagan

Furniture World Magazine

Kendall College of Art and Design will host internationally renowned furniture designer, Vladimir Kagan, on Thursday, November 4, 2004, from 3:00 to 5:30, at a reception and book signing in Room 502 at Kendall, 17 Fountain, NW. Mr. Kagan's biography, The Complete Kagan, has just been released by the publisher and will be for sale at the reception. The public is invited to meet Mr. Kagan. In addition to the reception, Mr. Kagan will direct a studio session with Furniture Design students earlier in the day which will include a studio design problem/assignment. Vladimir Kagan is considered one of the pioneers of modern design. With a career that spans over 40 years, Kagan's amorphous sculptural designs of the late forties and early fifties created a new look in American furniture. Today, Kagan's early designs are classics of contemporary furniture, coveted by collectors for their original design and craftsmanship. His furniture has been included in the private collections of many leaders in the world of art, fashion and music, including Isaac Stern, Tom Ford, Frank Sinatra and Donna Karan. Mr. Kagan's latest creations incorporate 21st Century sensibility with his trademark organic shapes while maintaining the highest standards of workmanship. Mr. Kagan's designs can be seen in many impressive locations. His classic Cubist Chairs, designed in 1967, were selected by Giorgio Armani for his exciting Nobu Restaurant. His multi-level, multi-directional seating group called Omnibus, and its accompanying tables designed in the late 60s, were selected by Tom Ford for his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and then selected by him for all 360 Gucci stores worldwide. One of the latest night spots in the university town of Freiburg, Germany, has been named for Vladimir. The Kagan Club and Lounge, featuring furniture designed by Mr. Kagan, is on the 18th floor of the only high rise building in the city. Mr. Kagan was born in Worrms am Rhein in Germany in 1927 and moved with his family to the United States in 1938. After studying Architecture at Columbia University, he joined his father's woodworking business in 1947. He applied his creativity to furniture and interior design and in 1949 opened his first showroom in New York. His first clients included Marilyn Monroe, Xavier Cougart, Lilly Pons, Gary Cooper and Sherman Fairchild. Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University is a four-year college preparing its students for careers as professional artists and designers. In its 75-year history Kendall has developed a solid foundation offering classes in design, drawing, art history and liberal arts and sciences. Kendall is an active community partner which annually provides over 2,000 children and adults the opportunity to pursue courses in art and design through a richly varied continuing studies program.