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When it came to designing this stage set for the Tucson Festival of Books, only a mid-century look and punctuation marks of colors would do. By Gillian Drummond. Photography by Lisa Harris.

How the stage will look when Noam Chomsky visits for the Tucson Festival of Books. Photo by Lisa Harris

Color, drama, mid-century style and punctuation marks come together in this set by Copenhagen Imports, designed for next week’s Tucson Festival of Books.

Which is fitting, since the set is for A Conversation with Noam Chomsky, a man whose career encompasses all of these things.

Professor Chomsky joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Professor of Linguistics in 1955 when, still in his 20s, he was blowing the academic world away with his theories on universal grammar. He is still at MIT and still blowing people away, although in recent years it’s been more for his forthright political views, particularly on U.S. foreign policy.

The appearance on March 15 of Professor Chomsky – widely regarded as the father of modern linguistics – is expected to draw a crowd of thousands. Which is why Copenhagen Imports’ in-house designer Maurice Brantley made sure to pick something that would stand out on the stage of Centennial Hall, Tucson. He went for colors and pieces that pop like punctuation marks. “It will be a conversation rife with unexpected color and controversy. And better make it comfy and memorable too,” says Maurice.

The photo shows:

1. Dotz screen, $999 by Elite Manufacturing
2. Extra-supple City Easy Chairs in bonded leather, $399 by Kuka
3. Indian-made cowhide ‘Christine’ rug with leather backing, $1176 by Linie Design, a pro-fair trade company based in Copenhagen
4. High-gloss fiberglass Galan Side Table available in black, orange, red or white, $219 by Euro Style

* See Professor Chomsky interviewed by The Nation’s John Nichols at Centennial Hall on the campus of the University of Arizona, 1020 E. University Boulevard, Sunday March 15, 4pm to 5pm. The event is being organized by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Tucson Festival of Books and The Nation magazine. Tickets are free and are available on the day from noon at the box office. More info here.

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