Hope Okoro
Museum Response
CDMG 1111
11/14/17
On our class trip to the Cooper Hewitt Museum in Manhattan last week, I found that there were various forms of visual art from different time periods; paintings, clothing (robes, cloths, jackets, etc.), musical instruments, structures and more. This even included graphic design art, something I find the most interest in. Even the art in the museum contributed to the style and design, and convenience of the museum. For Example, the interactive pen, which was the object that helped me save exhibits I found interesting to view later online. Another thing I noticed about the pen was that you draw on a large board that is mainly seen on the first floor that lets a person create designs and find exhibits through a drawing. Personally, I didn’t use that part because I had some trouble with it, so I just observed my classmates use it. However I
One of the exhibits at the museum that I found interesting was Bookshelf, Branch mini, 2010, designed by Joris Laarman Lab with its medium being bronze. Although this isn’t a permanent collection in the museum, Lab was generous to loan it to them. I first thought, before reading the description, this was an old piece that was probably made back in the 18th or 19th century. I didn’t know it was a modern piece. There are many pieces similar to the design but what caught my eye about this particular one was the simplicity of it. Although it’s a bookshelf, the design of it is absolutely art. The arms of the shelf look like tree branches, much like a bonsai tree. It gives me hope that people in this modern age still have this kind of creativity to create art such as so, despite having technology doing almost everything for us.
Another piece I found interesting at the museum was, A Staircase model made in France in the late 18th century. The creator is not mentioned in the museum’s website but this piece was similar to a staircase piece by Robert Adam. This piece was donated to the museum in 2007 by Eugene V. Thaw. The structure looks as though it were made out of wood but, according to the website it’s medium is joined, planed, bent, and carved pear, wrought brass wire, turned bone. This structure is part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department at the museum. What I found astonishing about this piece is the precise detail, it’s amazing! Especially from the material it was created from, it wasn’t just carved like on regular wood, it went through a long process in order for it to even shape in a certain way. The design overall is beautiful and creative.
