Designer, artist, educator and writer Dan Friedman (1945-1995) moved seamlessly between the disciplines that made up his dynamic, though abbreviated, career. From studying at Ulm and Basel to teaching at Yale and Cooper Union, and from high-profile corporate design to one-off experimental commissions and AIDS activism in the East Village art scene, Friedman pioneered New Wave design while encouraging young designers to live and work with passion, responsibility, humor and fantasy.

This exhibition is organized and designed by AIGA Medalist Chris Pullman and Laura Varrachi of LVCK Environmental Graphics with support from Dan Friedman’s brother Ken Friedman. Examples of Friedman’s influential pedagogy, corporate graphics, fantasy furniture, commissioned objects and exhibition catalogues have been gathered from the collections of Ken Friedman, Keith Godard and Katrin Adam, Paul Ludick, Chris and Esther Pullman, and Tom Strong. Inspired by the autobiography and companion exhibition Friedman created near the end of his life, the installation is structured around the diverse phases of Friedman’s career, fully exploring his eccentric and inspiring journey to recapture the idealistic roots of modernism with postmodern flare.

Opening reception

AIGA members and the public are invited to view the exhibition at a reception on Wednesday, October 1 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the AIGA National Design Center.

See the exhibition

The exhibition is on view from October 1, 2014 through January 9, 2015 at the AIGA National Design Center in New York City. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

Support

AIGA’s exhibition program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Thanks to Big Apple Visual Group for platform production and Artisan Digital, Inc. for vinyl graphics and digital prints.