October 11, 1999---Totem announces the opening of a new exhibition entitled: Fun[k]tion: new basics for the domestic environment by New York designers Andrea Ruggiero and Michael Solis. The event, being sponsored by CityNy Magazine and Totem, will take place from 7 PM to 10 PM on Thursday, November 4 at the 71 Franklin Street store.

Andrea Ruggiero, 30, is currently collaborating with Razorfish, designing next-generation digital communication devices. Raised in China, Italy, and Austria, he has been living and working in the United States since 1987. Following his graduation from Parsons School of Design, Andrea designed for Boym Design Studio, Vitra, and Vignelli Associates. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, Hot House, and the International Furniture Design Fair. In addition to designing and developing concepts for a number of manufacturers, Andrea also teaches design at Parsons and has been invited to be a visiting lecturer at the Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago, Chile.

Also 30 years young, Michael Solis recently put his finishing touch on Kirna Zabete, the new Soho store he designed with Nick Dine. He has run his own design studio, WORX, in New York for the past six years. A 1991 graduate of Parsons, Mike launched his first line of furniture at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in 1995, and won the Editor's Award for Best New Designer in 1996. His use of clean lines and creative materials has helped set his work apart. Most recently, Mike has gained attention for his work as part of Totem's G7 satellite show at the 1999 ICFF. Mike has been published in such magazines as Abitare, Surface, Interior, and Harper's Bazaar.

"I've been following their work for several years. They both have evolved as designers and are an integral part of the American Design Movement. Naturally, Totem would support Mike and Andrea," said owner of Totem, David Shearer when asked why he chose to sponsor this event.

Totem's primary objective is to change the world through good design by educating the public and by providing affordable products. Totem is a designer-driven gallery, store, trade source, manufacturer, wholesaler and website promoting American design. Totem represents approximately forty designers and manufacturers, most of whom employ Totem as their exclusive U.S. agent. In the 2 years since Totem opened the New York showroom at 71 Franklin Street, it has garnered numerous design awards including "Best Contemporary Furniture Store" New York Magazine 1998, "Editors Choice for Best Furniture" International Contemporary Furniture Fair 1998, "Best Exhibit" Accent on Design - New York Gift Fair 1999.