In online-only exhibit, Walker highlights Minnesota design (with a little 'd')

Honeycrisp apples
Honeycrisp apples are part of a new online-only collection of objects by the Walker Art Center of things "designed" in Minnesota.
Paul J. Richards | AFP | Getty Images

What's the Honeycrisp apple doing in a new collection of Minnesota design curated by the Walker Art Center?

"We define design with a lower case 'd' because people are designing things when they maybe don't know it," says Andrew Blauvelt, senior design curator at the Walker.

The lower case 'd' in a new online-only design collection includes natural objects, like the Honeycrisp.

"It was an intentional outcome to have an apple that could have a sweet and tart flavor that also could have a very long shelf life," Blauvelt told MPR News' Phil Picardi (listen to the interview above).

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"Minnesota by Design" collects objects that are otherwise "uncollectable," says Blauvelt. They include:

Husker Du album art
Husker Du album art
Album art

• The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes

• The Minneapolis skyway system

• The logo for local band Husker Du

• The symbol used by Prince as a stand-in for "Prince"

• The Jolly Green Giant

• Ice palaces

The Walker is inviting the public to suggest more Minnesota-designed objects for the collection.