Tang exhibit puts Skidmore’s cutting-edge, collaborative spirit on display

Jean Tschanz-Egger, head of design at Skidmore College’s Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, faced a challenge: The museum’s new exhibition “Energy in All Directions” was bringing together contemporary art from the Tang collection with objects from the Shaker Museum. It was also a celebration of the life and legacy of the artist and gallerist Hudson (1950–2014). How could she express all of that in a gallery sign?

Tschanz-Egger found inspiration in the archives of Hudson’s gallery, Feature Inc., which opened in 1984 in Chicago. The gallery’s original homemade letterhead features chunky, hand-drawn letters that can look like wood joinery. The letters recall the Shaker craftsmanship on view in the exhibition that includes tables, chairs, cabinets, a walker and a wheelchair, all made of wood. 
 
Now, how should she make the sign?

The solution came from the IdeaLab: The Skidmore College Makerspace, a campus center for collaboration, experimentation and learning that hosts 3D printers, sewing machines, art and hardware supplies and a range of other tools.  
  
Darren Prodger, IdeaLab’s manager, introduced Tschanz-Egger to one of the makerspace’s newest pieces of high-tech equipment: a Glowforge Plus laser cutter.

“I’m so happy to collaborate with the Tang Museum to make this design idea a reality,” Prodger said. “It’s a great example of how creative thought can take physical form here in the IdeaLab for students, faculty, and now the Tang. The only limit is your imagination.”

Like the Tang, the IdeaLab stands as a testament to a creative spirit at Skidmore that cuts across disciplines from the arts to the sciences to offer unique, collaborative learning experiences for students and faculty.

“This semester we’ve had several of Professor Shirley Smith’s Italian classes here working on our 3D printers as well as with the Glowforge,” Prodger said. “Students were able design a box, learn the Glowforge software, prepare the wood, cut and engrave the pieces, and assemble their boxes within an hour. We’re hoping to be able to work with more departments on similar projects in the future.” 

The IdeaLab recently obtained the laser cutter as an upgrade from an older, more industrial-style laser. The new, versatile Glowforge Plus uses a thin laser beam to etch or cut materials such as wood, Plexiglas or mylar with precision. 

Once Tschanz-Egger uploaded her design file into the Glowforge online interface, entered the correct settings and loaded a thin, one-square-foot piece of wood into the Glowforge, she hit a button to download her file and waited for the laser-cutting to begin.

Ninety minutes and 11 pieces of wood later, Tschanz-Egger had 22 custom, laser-cut letters.
 
Today, those letters are now affixed to the museum’s wall, welcoming campus into the exhibition “Energy in All Directions.”

Tang Dayton Director Ian Berry said the wall text was unlike that at any other exhibition. 

“I love the possibilities that open up when we work together to share expertise and ideas across campus,” Berry said. The signage “is a perfect example of the exponential power of collaboration, a hallmark of Skidmore’s interdisciplinary spirt and something that the missions of the IdeaLab and the Tang share.”