Material Opulence

Ideals of luxury are geographically, historically, and materially specific and inextricably linked to larger social and economic structures. Material Opulence offers a vibrant and inclusive reimagination of grandeur through a collection of functional chairs and domestic objects.

Incorporating an expansive range of materials—from aluminum, indigo, and OSB (Oriented Strand Board) to paper and ceramics—the work in this collection rethinks hierarchical material associations and creates space for a broad understanding of value. In their ability to acknowledge and engage critically with existing histories, the designers whose work is included in this collection envision a present and a future that prioritize generativity, equity and sustainability over extraction, suppression, and competition.

Employing craft as an act of generosity rather than a labor commodity, understanding materiality as a means of synergizing with our earthly habitat and embracing utility as a layered invitation to engage critically with our surroundings and collective context, Material Opulence is unapologetic in its proposal for new ways of seeing, making, and living.

Organized and directed by faculty Meg Callahan, Amy Devers, Pete Oyler, and Jonah Takagi

Graphic Design by Casey Callahan

In Situ Photography by Erik Gould

Silo Photography by Jonah Takagi

Images were taken at the Lippitt House Museum in Providence, Rhode Island.