May 8, 2009 – July 12, 2009

A highly inventive artist as well as an immensely influential designer, Matthew “Matt” Kahn has taught at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California since 1949. During his years at Stanford, American design emerged to international prominence and “Made in California” became the hallmark for excellence and innovation in contemporary design.

Instilling in his students an abiding appreciation for the central role of design in every aspect of daily life, Matt Kahn has mentored several generations of Stanford students, many of whom went on to become leading figures in their respective fields. Among them are Mark Fuller (Co-founder, Chairman and CEO of WET Design and designer of the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas); David Kelley (founder and CEO of IDEO design firm in Palo Alto); Michael Duncan, Associate Partner, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill; Harley Jessup, Industrial Light & Magic; and the preeminent fiber artist Jean Ray Laury.

Matt Kahn: Artist and Educator examines the artist’s historic significance by placing his early work within the context of Bay Area art and design of the 1950s and 1960s. For example, Kahn’s design concepts for the watershed presentation ‘Art About the House’ of 1954 will be shown beside work by several other artists and ‘designer-craftsmen’ featured in this important Eichler showcase event including textile designs and weavings by Kahn’s highly accomplished wife Lyda Kahn, and ceramics by Ernie Kim and Virginia Davidson.

Catalog available in the Museum Store.

Curator: Hal Nelson, Curator for SFMC+D
Exhibition Design: Seb Hamamjian

Preview Reception
Thursday, May 7, 2009, 6 PM – 8 PM

Walk-Through Tour:
Matt Kahn: Artist and Educator with
Curator Hal Nelson
Friday, May 8, 2009, 11 AM

MakeArt Workshop:
Designs Inspired by Matt Kahn
Saturday, June 6, 2009, 1 PM – 3 PM

Speaker Series:
Matt Kahn: Teacher and Friend
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6 PM – 8 PM