Black Artists + Designers Guild Announces Its Inaugural Obsidian Virtual Concept House
The Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG) announced today that its inaugural Obsidian Virtual Concept House will be revealed in January 2021 in partnership with Hearst Magazine's Luxury and Design Collection—Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Town & Country, and VERANDA. The concept house will feature work from 22 BADG creatives in celebration of Black excellence and culture, while inspiring a domicile designed specifically for Black families and highlighting their multiplicity.
Obsidian is a conceptual future dwelling that imagines the state of design in 2025. The 3-D virtual structure uses an existing site in Oakland, Calif. designed by the Obsidian architectural team: Leyden Lewis and Nina Cooke-John, two members of the Obsidian Project committee. Malene Barnett, Kelly Finley, Everick Brown, and Kiyonda Powell are also members of the project committee.
"Each of the contributing creators to Obsidian set their own original goals with a social and political narrative of methodologies, both ancient and present mythologies that connect the African diaspora,” says Barnett, who is the founder of BADG.
“Although Black people have historically interacted within the predominantly Euro-centric design construct, Obsidian centers on our stories. These spaces are for us and, in so defining, honor our histories and futures. Obsidian documents our aspirations and celebrates how we, as Black creators, can dream our communities into life and imagine our built environment."
The designers will fill the virtual home with designs that prioritize innovation, technology, sustainability, and futurism. Visitors will get to experience the home through self-guided, 360-degree tours with virtual reality engagement and other digital activations.
Supporters of the concept house can donate to the BADG Obsidian Project Fund to help the designers provide the best virtual online experience possible, as well as secure important resources for future BADG virtual concept houses. Stay tuned for exciting future announcements about the Obsidian Virtual Concept House and other ways to participate.
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