Michael Singer

World-renowned "green" artist/designer/planner Michael Singer will give a multimedia presentation on "Designs for a Sustainable Future" at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. During his talk, Singer will explain his philosophy for large-scale infrastructure projects, affordable housing, urban parks and schools. The event is part of UNC Asheville's Distinguished Speakers Series.

Singer's innovative designs blend architecture and art with environmentally friendly features and sustainable development. An example of this fusion is Singer's landscape design in Queens Plaza near the Queensboro Bridge in New York City. The focus of the design is a sustainable urban environment that features plantings and streetscapes that filter the stormwater runoff from the bridge. The Plaza also features public art, devices for solar collection, wind abatement and sound attenuation, as well as installations for information and interpretation of the site's environmental and cultural history.

Singer's creative planning and infrastructure projects can be found in urban settings across the United States and Europe. His designs grace the Institute for Forestry and Nature in the Netherlands, Troja Island Basin in Prague, Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach, EcoTarium in Worcester, Mass. and the American Embassy in Greece.

Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center in Phoenix, Arizona

Singer has received a host of awards, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. The New York Times selected Singer's design of a massive waste recycling and transfer station in Phoenix as one of the top eight design events of 1993. His works are in public collections worldwide, including the Australian National Gallery, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, the Guggenheim Museum and the Museum of Modern Art.


An exhibit of images and models of Singer's work from around the world is currently on view through October 20 at the Center for Craft, Creativity & Design, 1181 Broyles Rd., Hendersonville. The exhibit then moves to UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Gallery and will be on display from October 24-November 12. A free opening reception with Singer will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, in the gallery.

General admission tickets are $20 for Singer's talk. All area students will be admitted free. Tickets are on sale now. To reserve tickets by phone, call UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Box Office at 828/232-5000. For information about purchasing group tickets, call 828/251-6991.

For more information on this or other events in UNC Asheville's Cultural & Special Events season, call 828/251-6991 or click on www.unca.edu/culturalarts/.