designboom weekly

THEASTER GATES EXHIBITS DECADES OF BLACK AMERICAN LIFE IN CHICAGO

a new exhibition at chicago's rebuild foundation presents new works by theaster gates, both inspired by and sourced from the johnson publishing company (JPC) archive. founded in chicago in 1942 by john H. johnson, the johnson publishing company chronicled the lives of black americans for over seven decades, most prominently through the monthly magazine 'ebony' and its weekly sister outlet 'jet'. ahead of the exhibition's opening, designboom spoke with linda johnson rice, CEO of JPC and daughter of john H. johnson. 'I hope that people will understand what my parents built and how during such difficult times, starting in the early 1940s with drive and determination, they built a publishing empire,' she tells us. 'they showcased black people with a sense of pride and purpose. they show that black people have values and are to be valued, with respect and dignity.' read our conversation in full here, and discover more recent interviews here.

CONE-SHAPED WATCH REINTERPRETS POSTMODERN ARCHITECTURE 

in a playful reinterpretation of iconic shapes, paul kweton of studio PAULBAUT unveils a cone-shaped watch inspired by the eclectic and bold aesthetics of postmodern architecture. featuring a bold, colorful case paired with an oversized cylindrical crown and 3D printed dial, the 'postmodern cone watch' disregards conventional functionality, serving as an expression of artistic freedom instead. see more submissions by our readers here, and find out how to upload your own project here.

the weekly is an inside review curated by sofia lekka angelopoulou.