One of the earliest toys devised for children, baby rattles have
evolved over the centuries into a variety of shapes and sizes.
They are symbolic of how design responds to socio-economic
factors and cultural identity, and represent a design chronology
of style, function, sound and materials. This exhibition features
over 100 rattles from the important collection of Lu and Maynard
Lyndon, the founders and owners of Placewares+LyndonDesign in
Gualala, California.
Curated by Lu and Maynard Lyndon and Tim McNeil
One of the earliest toys devised for children, baby rattles
over the centuries have evolved into a variety of shapes made
from many materials. We began collecting in 1967. What
fascinates us is the seemingly infinite number of forms that
people in many cultures have used to produce an object to amuse
a child, make a sound, be nice to touch and hold in a small
hand that reaches out to explore and grasp. Shaken, the rattle
makes perhaps a tinny sound of a bell or perhaps a softer sound
of seeds inside. In any case, what results is a smile or maybe
a giggle and probably soothed tears—a universal experience.
We’ve had great pleasure searching and finding these gems one
by one, and now we’re sharing them with you.
Paul W.
Hollingshead (1896–1974) studied at the New York Institute of
Photography in 1922 and worked for Edward Steichen taking high
fashion photos for Vogue and Vanity Fair
magazines. In 1928, he returned to California and settled in
Woodland in 1932. Upon his death he left an archive of photos to
his sons, Bill and Edward Hollingshead, that document changes
covering five decades. Experimenting with lighting, background,
props, and poses, the photographs capture evolving styles in
clothing and fashion as well as the sitter’s preferences from
dashing movie star glamor shots to warm, friendly, family photos.
Fashions and accessories from the UC Davis Design Collection will
be paired with these period photographs, bringing them to life
with tangible artifacts.
Design-by-Design is the annual juried student competition
highlighting the breadth, talent, and diversity of the Department
of Design, as shown through the outstanding course work produced
over the past year.
Working with renowned design faculty, Master of Fine Arts
students explore the broader topic of “Design” through specific
design disciplines, drawing on collaborations with the arts,
humanities, social sciences and sciences. This exhibition
showcases the candidates’ final research and creative
projects.
The MFA Design 2016 Exhibition features work created by Talien
Ghane, Yiting Hao and Patrice Soehnlein.
