Through November 28 within the modernist home of the late architect and designer Eliot Noyes, Blum & Poe, Mendes Wood DM, and Object & Thing are welcoming guests to a collaborative exhibition entitled “At The Noyes House.” The presentation marks the first contemporary art and design exhibition of its kind to show on the grounds of the historic house in New Canaan, Connecticut.
Leading artists and designers—such as Gaetano Pesce, Yoshitomo Nara, Alma Allen, Lynda Benglis, Sonia Gomes, Mark Grotjahn, Antonio Obá, Tomoo Gokita, Frances Palmer, Patricia Leite, and Pablo Limón—have works shown in various rooms, with bright colors and unique shapes in dynamic contrast with the home’s natural materials.
At The Noyes House: Blum & Poe, Mendes Wood DM and Object & Thing. The Noyes House, New Canaan, Connecticut. Photo by Michael Biondo. Works pictured [left to right]: Hugo França, Rings (2007).
“My father conceived of the architecture of the house as a backdrop to seamlessly mingle art with daily life. As I grew up, new artworks were continuously introduced, unfettered by period or style, and existing pieces rearranged as life changed,” said Fred Noyes, son of Eliot Noyes. “This exciting exhibition is a direct continuation of that tradition of bringing fresh ideas to the house. We welcome visitors to experience the house as it is transformed by these unique works of art and design, showing the flexibility for which it was designed. My father would be delighted.”
Originally designed and built in 1954 by Noyes for his family, the structure is a testament to mid-twentieth century Modernist architecture. Known for the pushing conventions in domestic architecture, Noyes also pushed boundaries in design. His work as a Consultant Director of Design at IBM led him to design the Selectric typewriter; his role as a Curator of Industrial Design at the Museum of Modern Art led him to champion the careers of other designers, such as Charles Eames and Ero Saarinen.
At The Noyes House: Blum & Poe, Mendes Wood DM and Object & Thing. The Noyes House, New Canaan, Connecticut. Photo by Michael Biondo. Works pictured [left to right]: Alma Allen, Not Yet Titled (2020); Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, Untitled (2020); Green River Project LLC, Pine Outdoor Coffee Table and Pine-Board Deck Chairs (2020); Kazunori Hamana, Untitled (2019).
“Presenting works of both art and design in this intimate, architecturally significant setting will demonstrate the way that boundaries between the two disciplines can be erased, and how art and design build the character and experience of a home,” said Abby Bangser, Founder and Creative Director of Object & Thing. “My husband Matt Bangser, a partner at Blum & Poe, and I live in New Canaan specifically because of its architectural legacy, and for some time I have been working with Fred Noyes as part of an advisory committee to discuss possibilities for the future of this important house. Our friends at Mendes Wood DM share our values for preservation and the possibilities for meaningful artistic dialogues between the past and present.”
Public visits will be available through carefully-coordinated, limited reservations on Saturdays throughout the run of the exhibition. An in-depth video tour produced by Michael Biondo is also available on all three digital platforms of the presenting partners.
At The Noyes House: Blum & Poe, Mendes Wood DM and Object & Thing. The Noyes House, New Canaan, Connecticut. Photo by Michael Biondo. Work pictured: Daniel Steegmann Mangrané, Untitled (2020).
