Cooper Hewitt Exhibition Explores Symbols as Community Identity Tools
The exhibition 'Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols' at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum examines how symbols function as synecdoche to build community identity. Curated by Uttara Nanavati during her fellowship, the show features historical and contemporary examples including the fist symbol represented through Deva Pardue's 'Femme Fists' poster and Frank Cieciorka's pinback buttons, along with the Person with Headscarf Emoji proposed by Rayouf Alhumedhi. An interactive activity called 'Our Search for Symbols' allows visitors to create their own symbols. The exhibition runs through August 11, 2024, demonstrating how visual representations foster solidarity and cultural connection.
Key facts
- Exhibition 'Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols' at Cooper Hewitt through August 11, 2024
- Curated by Uttara Nanavati during her curatorial fellowship
- Features fist symbol examples including Deva Pardue's poster and Frank Cieciorka's pinback buttons
- Includes Person with Headscarf Emoji proposed by Rayouf Alhumedhi
- Interactive symbol creation activity engages visitors
Entities
Artists
- Deva Pardue
- Frank Cieciorka
- Rayouf Alhumedhi
Institutions
- Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
- Parsons School of Design
Locations
- New York