What's Happening?
The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is currently hosting the 'Design Across Time: Exploring the Smithsonian’s Design Collection' exhibition. This exhibition offers a new thematic approach to the museum's permanent collection, showcasing a wide
array of historic and contemporary design pieces. It includes significant works brought out of storage, recent acquisitions displayed publicly for the first time, and canonical objects from American and global design history. To engage visitors further, the museum is organizing drop-in sketching sessions within the exhibition galleries. These sessions provide drawing prompts, seating, and materials, and are open to all, regardless of drawing experience. The initiative is part of the Smithsonian’s 'Our Shared Future: 250' program, which aims to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and advance the institution's vision for the next 250 years. Major support for the exhibition comes from various donors, including Jon and Shigemi Iwata, Lisa Roberts and David Seltzer, and the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.
Why It's Important?
This exhibition and its accompanying programs are important for several reasons. Firstly, by re-contextualizing its permanent collection through a thematic lens, the Cooper Hewitt Museum offers fresh perspectives on design history and its evolution, potentially attracting new audiences and encouraging deeper engagement with its vast repository. Secondly, the inclusion of sketching events democratizes access to art and design, inviting public participation and fostering creativity among individuals who may not consider themselves artists. This hands-on approach can enhance understanding and appreciation of design principles. Thirdly, as part of the 'Our Shared Future: 250' initiative, the exhibition contributes to a broader national conversation about American heritage and future aspirations, using design as a medium to explore cultural and historical narratives. The emphasis on accessibility and community engagement aligns with modern museum practices that seek to make cultural institutions more inclusive and relevant to diverse populations.
What's Next?
The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum will continue to host drop-in sketching events in the galleries, with specific dates and times available on their website. These sessions are offered on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited space. The 'Design Across Time' exhibition is an ongoing feature, suggesting that the museum will likely continue to rotate and highlight different aspects of its collection through this thematic framework. The broader 'Our Shared Future: 250' initiative, under which this project is funded, indicates a long-term commitment from the Smithsonian to engage with the public on themes of national significance leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States. Future programming across Smithsonian institutions may also adopt similar participatory and thematic approaches to engage diverse audiences.
Beyond the Headlines
The Cooper Hewitt's approach to showcasing its collection and engaging the public reflects a broader trend in museum curation towards experiential learning and community involvement. By moving beyond traditional static displays and offering interactive activities like sketching, the museum acknowledges the value of active participation in understanding and appreciating design. This strategy not only makes the museum more accessible but also positions it as a dynamic space for creative expression and critical thinking. The focus on 'Our Shared Future: 250' also highlights the role of cultural institutions in shaping national identity and fostering a sense of collective future. By exploring design 'across time,' the exhibition implicitly encourages reflection on how past innovations inform present challenges and future possibilities, underscoring the enduring relevance of design in society.
