In a unique partnership with the Harley-Davidson Museum, MIAD kicked off the fall semester with the most ambitious cross-disciplinary project in the college's history. The Helmet Project – involving more than 100 art and design students, 10 faculty members and the museum's professional staff – was on view as the first feature exhibition at the museum's "Garage," October 23 – November 8.

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The Helmet Project challenged students to deconstruct the conventional notion of a helmet and re-envision its function and meaning through art and design that push visual and conceptual boundaries in this first of its kind undertaking. Students also created the show - from exhibit fabrication and installation to exhibition graphics and marketing.

Under the project leadership of Harley-Davidson Museum Curatorial Director Jim Fricke, the dynamic history of helmets and the debate surrounding the helmet relative to motorcycling also came alive through a multi-media display of museum artifacts.

Harley-Davidson Museum Curatorial Director Jim Fricke (left), Michael Davidson (right standing) and James Donnelly (right seated) jury initial exhibition design concepts of Interior Architecture + Design students.

Fricke said, "We were familiar with the impressive caliber of MIAD student work, so this exhibition idea was expressly developed to create an ambitious college-wide project."

"We were familiar with the impressive caliber of MIAD student work, so this exhibition idea was expressly developed to create an ambitious college-wide project."

In developing the concept for the project, the Harley-Davidson Museum hoped to challenge MIAD Sculpture, Integrated Studio Arts and Industrial Design students to react to and extend the rich history of helmet design, and Interior Architecture + Design and Communication Design students to design, fabricate and install the exhibit. The students are working both in teams and as individuals through a juried process.

"This unprecedented collaborative effort, which unfolded over two short months, is intense and inspiring," said Fricke. "The reward is in the creation: both the collaborative act and the resulting exhibition, which was informative, provocative and beautiful."

Juror Michael Davidson provides feedback on initial sculpture concepts by student Sarah Meadors. Photo: Robert Kjendlie (Photography).

In addition to Fricke and the museum's curatorial, archival and marketing staffs, principal jury members who provided guidance and input throughout the project were Michael Davidson, artist, design consultant and great-grandson of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company co-founder William A. Davidson; and James Donnelly, multidisciplinary designer and principal of Milwaukee's The Design Office.

MIAD Provost David Martin said, "Our students embraced this intensively pedagogical experience, which broadened not only their skills and real-world experience, but also their well of inspiration as related to art and design, and to the Harley-Davidson cultural and historical phenomenon.

Initial concepts by Industrial Design student Bryan Washburn.

"We are proud and gratified to have been chosen to be a part of the museum's first feature exhibition and to build on the growing relationship with Harley-Davidson, which began a year ago with the Industrial Design PowerSports course developed with the Harley-Davidson Stylists from the Product Development Center."

The Brake Light Helmet, curated and worn by custom-bike builder Felix Predko, will be among the artifacts displayed in “The Helmet Project.” Image courtesy of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

The Harley-Davidson Museum and its "Garage" exhibition space are located at 400 West Canal Street. For more information, museum hours and tickets, visit www.harley-davidsonmuseum.com.

Communication Design students view gas tank graphics at the Harley-Davidson Museum as part of their research for The Helmet Project's marketing and exhibition graphics.