MoMA’s applied design exhibition

technological developments, environmental concerns and the state of our global social and economic situations have fueled a progressive change in the practice of design over the past 20 years.

andrea chin May 9, 2013 3 min

MoMA’s applied design exhibitionmarkus kayser (german, born 1983) solar sinter machine in the saharan desert near siwa, egypt, 2011 photo by amos field reidsee how the solar sinter 3D printer produces glass products from sand using the heat of the sun here

applied designMoMA, new yorkon now until january 31, 2014

technological developments, environmental concerns and the global state of our social and economic situations have all in some respect played a role in fueling the progressive changes seen in the practice of design over the past 20 years.

the new york MoMA‘s ‘applied design’ exhibition, organized by senior curator paola antonelli and curatorial assistant kate carmody, presents approximately 100 objects from the museum’s extensive collection which represent many of the new directions being taken in contemporary design practices seen through examples of interface and interaction design (14 recently acquired video games are on view for the first time), dynamic visualizations, products, furniture, 3D printed objects, emergency equipment, and bio design. collectively, the pieces on show provide a survey of works of historical and cultural relevance, which each consider to varying degrees a certain aesthetic, functional and structural approach, as well as innovative technological and material applications. from a dadelion-shaped mine detonator, to an inflatable house that can fit into your pocket, to a 3D printing machine that converts sand into glass products through the heat of the sun, the show gives an overview into the recent evolution of design and offers insight into the course that is taking.

MoMA's applied design exhibition - 1 massoud hassani (dutch, born afghanistan 1983)mine kafon wind-powered deminer, 2011 bamboo and biodegradable plastics 87 x 87 x 87″ (221 x 221 x 221 cm)gift of the contemporary arts council of the museum of modern artphoto by mahmud hassanisee how this dandelion-shaped mine detonator saves lives here

MoMA's applied design exhibition - 2 dirk vander kooij (dutch, born 1983)endless flow rocking chair, 2011 recycled plastic 31 1/2 x 16 9/16 x 26 3/4″ (80 x 42 x 68 cm)architecture & design purchase fund photo: the museum of modern art, new yorksee how the dutch designer produces each chair using plastic pellets from old refrigerators here

MoMA's applied design exhibition - 3 mathieu lehanneur (french, born 1974)andrea air purifier, labogroup, paris, 2009acrylic and electronic components12 5/8 x 17 11/16″ (32 x 45 cm)gift of the naufacturerimage courtesy of mathieu lehanneursee how the product responds to dealing with domestic pollution using plants to purifier air flow here

MoMA's applied design exhibition - 4 tōru iwatani (japanese, born 1955) of namco limited, now NAMCO bandai games inc. pac-man, 1980 gift of NAMCO bandai games inc. image courtesy of NAMCO bandai games inc.

MoMA's applied design exhibition - 5 tomáš gabzdil libertíny (slovak, born 1979)the honeycomb vase ‘made by bees’, prototype, 2006beeswax9 x 5 1/2 x 1/2 (22.9 x 14 x 14cm)gift of the aaron and betty lee stern foundationimages courtesy of tomáš gabzdil libertíny