Indianapolis Museum of Art Blog

Well, this is my first blog post here. So I guess an introduction is necessary. My name is Kris Arnold, and I just started working here as a web developer. I came here from NUVO Newsweekly as their web developer and photographer.

Given that I don’t consider myself much of a writer, it seems practical that the rest of my blog contain photos, as this is a little more up my alley. Photography is a great passion of mine, and I’m sure as time goes on, I will share many more pictures on this blog.

photo by Rumi Sakuraeda

During my time at NUVO I had a few opportunities to take photos of some familiar faces here at the museum. I also took some time to get some snapshots of our little neck of the woods, quaintly nestled behind the library.

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As the IMA website indicates, we have taken official possession of the Miller House and Garden in Columbus, Indiana. This will make the second National Historic Landmark property the IMA has in its collection (Oldfields-Lilly House and Gardens being the first). How’s that for bragging rights! As a practical matter however, home ownership is not all fun and games in this situation. Ahead lies a road of challenges for the staff working on MHG teams.

Columbus is an hour’s drive south of Indy, which makes it difficult to explore the house and conduct business with the current local staff. Director of Lilly House Operations Bradley Brooks, head of our team of six, has spent a lot of time on the phone and making the trek south in the run-up to taking possession of the property. He has interacted with everyone from members of the Miller family to a nephew of  Eero Saarinen. Bradley has been, and continues to be a very busy beaver.

The task of converting a residential property into a museum showcase has been an educational experience for our team, so far. It has forced us to look at all the things we do here at the museum, a lot of which we take for granted, and formulate how to adapt and transplant these practices to a former family home fifty miles away.

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It’s hard to follow some of our recent posts – especially some very well written pieces by Jenny and Kate.  But I must, and today the focus is European Design.  It’s shaping up to be a pretty decent weekend in Indianapolis.  Around the IMA, lots of us are preparing for the arrival of all-star designers, scholars, designophiles, students, playas, and many more.  European Design Since 1985: Shaping the New Century kicks off tonight with the opening party.  Tomorrow and Saturday will be dedicated to the European Design Symposium – a collection of speakers ranging from Alberto Alessi, IMA’s own R. Craig Miller,  matali crassat, Jerszy Seymour and lots more.  And of course there is the exhibition itself – 250 works of incredible, daring, surreal, beautiful design.  And this is all happening in Indianapolis!!!!

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