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The UC Davis Design Museum opens its 2025-2026 season with Embodiment, an installation which incorporates theatrical and narrative design practices. This unique project opens Oct. 8.

Embodiment, created and curated by UC Davis MFA Design student Emily Tonnos, the installation explores the intersectionality of exhibition, theatrical, and narrative design practices to create an immersive experience through human emotion, the five senses, and a journey through personal struggle and growth.

“Through working to create Embodiment, I have had the opportunity to learn about and bridge together several design disciples from lighting and sound design to construction and graphics,” said Tonnos. “My research in design phenomenology, exhibition design, and theatrical design come together at the crossroads in which tools of scenography are used to tell stories. By crafting the environment of space, building all the props, and developing a narrative, I hope to show visitors the value in how physical multisensory exhibitions can be used to bring messages to life, and how this can be possible in a unique way by using theatrical practices to create immersive experiences. I hope that Embodiment shows that by uniting different design disciplines and seeing how they can be changed and used in tandem with each other, we can reflect on how this beauty of change and togetherness mirrors itself in our personal lives too.”

Running Oct. 8 through Nov. 5, the exhibition is free and open to all. However, access to the installation is limited. Installation times 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., Tue-Thu. Please sign up at the link above.

The Design Museum, part of the College of Letters and Science and free to the public, is in 124 Cruess Hall. 

The UC Davis Design Museum is open Monday–Friday, noon-4:00 p.m. To schedule a weekend appointment (Sunday 2:00–4:00 p.m. only), arrange a group visit, or for further information please call (530) 752-6150 or email tplance@ucdavis.edu.