Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial Explores Nature and Human Interaction
Until January 20, 2020, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York is showcasing 'Nature,' the third iteration of its Design Triennial. This exhibition, curated in collaboration with the Cube Design Museum, encompasses 60 projects divided into seven categories: Understand, Simulate, Salvage, Facilitate, Augment, Remediate, and Nurture. Notable pieces include 'Curiosity Cloud' (2015-19) by Mischer Traxler, 'Totomoxtle' (2017) from Fernando Laposse, the Nanobionic Plant Project (2016) led by Michael Strano, and Neri Oxman's 'Aguahoja' (2017-19). Additional works feature 'Fantasma' (2019) by AnotherFarm and Sam Van Aken's ongoing 'Tree of 40 Fruit' (2008). Outdoors, Ensamble Studio's 'Petrified River' (2018-19) reflects Manhattan's urban evolution, while the second floor presents 'Nature by Design,' highlighting artifacts from the 16th century to the present.
Key facts
- Exhibition titled 'Nature' at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York
- Runs until January 20, 2020
- Third edition of the Design Triennial
- 60 projects on display
- Seven sections: Understand, Simulate, Salvage, Facilitate, Augment, Remediate, Nurture
- Curated by team from Cooper Hewitt and Cube Design Museum, Kerkrade, Netherlands
- Mischer Traxler's 'Curiosity Cloud' features handcrafted insects in glass bulbs
- Fernando Laposse's 'Totomoxtle' uses corn husks for veneer
- Nanobionic Plant Project uses nanoparticles for plant illumination
- Neri Oxman's 'Aguahoja' is a biodegradable structure from organic materials
- AnotherFarm's 'Fantasma' dress uses silkworm eggs with jellyfish and coral DNA
- Sam Van Aken's 'Tree of 40 Fruit' grafts 40 fruit varieties onto one tree
- Ensamble Studio's 'Petrified River' is a concrete sculpture about Manhattan's history
- Second floor features 'Nature by Design' rotating collection from museum holdings
Entities
Artists
- Mischer Traxler
- Fernando Laposse
- Michael Strano
- Pavlo Gordiichuck
- Neri Oxman
- AnotherFarm
- Sam Van Aken
- Antonio García-Abril
- Débora Mesa
- Ensamble Studio
- Herbert A. Simon
- Maurita Cardone
Institutions
- Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum
- Cube Design Museum
- MIT Chemical Engineering
- MIT Media Lab
- The Mediated Matter Group
- Triennale di Milano
- Artribune
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Kerkrade
- Netherlands
- Manhattan
- Central Park
- Mexico
- Milan
- Italy