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“Jack Lenor Larsen at 90: Transformations By A Textile Innovator” is co-curated by Stephanie Zollinger and Jean McElvain. For 45 years, Larsen led Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated in the production of fabrics for the interior environment. In later years he produced carpet and furniture under the Larsen Carpet and Larsen Furniture names. Larsen took his design inspiration from around the world, visiting scores of countries to learn traditional hand-weaving and loom techniques, which he interpreted in new and innovative ways. In 1997, Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated was purchased by the English firm Colefax and Fowler. On the occasion of the purchase, Larsen’s entire archive was donated to the University of Minnesota (Elmer L. Andersen Library Archives and the Goldstein Museum of Design [GMD]) and Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The textiles on exhibit are informed by Larsen’s mastery of craft techniques, technological innovation, and inspiration from global design traditions. The inclusion of drawings, correspondence and production samples makes possible the intriguing narration of the creative process. The Goldstein Museum of Design is proud to contribute to a better understanding of the diversity and complexity of textiles created during the latter half of the 20th Century. This exhibit is free and open to the public.
If you were not able to join us for the WGM tour, no worries, there is more Larsen-related programming available! To accompany the exhibition, a free panel discussion organized by the Goldstein Museum of Design will be held on Thursday, November 2nd.
- Ellie Karanauskas, Former Vice President of Sales and National Sales Director for Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated
- Krista Stack, former Director of Design for the Larsen Design Studio
- Lotus Stack, former textile curator for the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
- Lori Weitzner, worked as an independent textile designer for Jack Lenor Larsen Incorporated where she created many notable collection
To learn more about Jack Lenor Larsen and his incredible contributions to the world of textiles, the Goldstein hosts the Jack Lenor Larsen Oral History Project. To help preserve the Larsen legacy, Dr. Zollinger interviewed many of Larsen’s former designers, employees, and colleagues. These interviews were audiotaped and transcribed and are now an important source of information available for scholars and admirers of Jack Lenor Larsen. LINK: http://goldstein.design.umn.edu/collection/jll/
