Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum (NYC, USA)

Collections

The museum's collections span over 210,000 objects, including textiles, wall coverings, furniture, silver, jewelry, ceramics, glass, and graphic design. These items reflect a broad range of design history from ancient times to the present. The collections are particularly strong in American design, but they also encompass international pieces, providing a global perspective on design practices. The curatorial focus is on how design shapes everyday life, encompassing everything from industrial design and fashion to graphics and digital design.

Graphic Design Collection

Cooper Hewitt is renowned for its extensive graphic design collection, which includes posters, prints, drawings, and ephemera. This collection highlights the evolution of graphic design from the 19th century to contemporary times, with a particular emphasis on the role of posters as a medium of communication and artistic expression. The museum's poster collection features works from iconic artists and designers, including Art Nouveau posters, World War propaganda posters, mid-20th century advertisements, and experimental digital designs. These pieces illustrate the ways in which posters have been used to promote ideas, inform the public, and shape culture.

History

Cooper Hewitt was founded in 1897 as part of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, established by Peter Cooper to provide education in the arts and sciences. Over the years, the museum expanded its collection beyond the initial decorative arts focus to include modern design and technological innovations. In 1976, the museum was renamed to honor Sarah Hewitt, reflecting the commitment to design education and appreciation. It joined the Smithsonian Institution in 1968, further solidifying its status as a national treasure.

The museum underwent a significant transformation and reopening in 2014 after a three-year renovation. The redesign included updated gallery spaces, interactive exhibits, and a dedicated area for the Smithsonian's first interactive pen-based gallery, "Pen + Plane." This gallery allows visitors to draw and interact with digital screens, making the museum experience more engaging and participatory.

Significance

Cooper Hewitt is a critical institution in the field of design, providing a space for learning, inspiration, and dialogue about the role of design in society. It serves as a vital resource for educators, students, and the public, offering exhibitions, lectures, and workshops that foster a deeper understanding of design's impact on culture and daily life. The museum's focus on design thinking and innovation helps bridge the gap between historical context and contemporary applications.

Poster Collections

The poster collection at Cooper Hewitt is one of the largest and most significant of its kind in the United States. It includes over 22,000 works, ranging from early lithographs to digital posters. This collection offers insights into historical and contemporary graphic design trends, design technologies, and societal changes. Highlights include:

• Art Nouveau Posters: Featuring works from influential designers like Toulouse-Lautrec, these posters showcase the ornamental style and artistic expression of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• World War Posters: These pieces reflect the role of design in propaganda and communication during times of conflict. They include recruitment posters, war bonds, and safety messages that helped shape public opinion and behavior during wartime.
• Mid-20th Century Advertising: This section explores the role of design in consumer culture, featuring posters from the 1950s and 1960s that promoted consumer goods, cultural events, and social issues.
• Experimental Digital Design: A more contemporary segment that highlights the transition from traditional print to digital media. These posters demonstrate how technology has expanded the possibilities for graphic design, from digital manipulation to interactive experiences.

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is located at: Address: 2 East 91st Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128

Website: https://www.cooperhewitt.org/

The museum is open to the public, with regularly changing exhibitions, a research library, and public programs that explore various aspects of design. Its collection and programs continue to reflect its mission to engage, educate, and inspire through the lens of design.