Cooper Hewitt Exhibition Features COVID-19 Model and Conservation Techniques

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum presents the exhibition 'Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection,' which includes a 3D-printed model of the COVID-19 coronavirus alongside an ancient Egyptian cup. The model, created by CDC medical illustrators in early 2020 as an educational tool during the pandemic, is displayed to illustrate the museum's collecting timeline from 1100 BCE to contemporary times. Conservators detail the specialized mounting process required for the fragile model, using brass wire and conservation adhesives to ensure preservation. The exhibition runs through August 26, 2024, offering insights into collection management and conservation practices.