“Guardians: Spirits of Protection,” a poignant exploration of the creative relationship between tragedy and design created by design professor emerita Ann Savageau, was first premiered at the UC Davis Design Museum in fall 2021. In fall 2024 “Guardians” will be presented by the  University of Michigan Residential College Art Gallery Aug. 26 through Nov. 2.

Savageau has been invited to work with some faculty and students at the University of Michigan on projects related to the themes embodied by the Guardians Sept. 14-24. She will return to Michigan Oct. 20-25 to see what the students have created. In addition, Savageau will give an endowed lecture, the James Robertson Lecture.  

“Guardians” showcases a series of sculptures created by Savageau which were made from found objects and flotsam that washed up on the beach coming from unknown places. The sculptures are composites of the disparate castoffs — in response to the tragic events in her life and to the pandemic.

“On a personal scale, ‘Guardians’ is about building a new life from loss,” said Savageau. “Creating this work helped me cope with my losses and grief. The meditative, incantatory process of building these figures enabled me to direct feelings of grief and loss to a more positive action. I found comfort in the care, thought, love and attention to detail I devoted to their creation.”

The UC Davis exhibition was curated by Tim McNeil, professor of design and director of the Design Museum.