Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum will present the fourth exhibition in the National Design Triennial series in spring 2010. “Why Design Now?” will be on view from May 14 through Jan. 9, 2011, and will explore the work of designers addressing human and environmental problems across many fields of design.
Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum is in the beautiful Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City, and it’s the only museum in America that focuses exclusively on design. Cooper Hewitt strives to actively educate and inform the public about design and its impact on daily life. The Museum exhibits both historic and contemporary design, and is commonly regarded as one of most important cultural institutions in New York. The museums collections include more than 250,000 design objects and a world-class design library.
For Cooper Hewitt’s 4th Triennial - opening on the 14th of May 2010 - designers from around the world were challenged with one question: Why is design an essential tool for solving some of today’s most urgent problems? This year’s National Design Triennial called “Why Design Now?” features 134 projects from more than 40 countries showing their works, and by extension, their answers to the challenge. The Triennial aims to seek out and present the most innovative designs at the center of contemporary culture, and to explore the work of designers addressing human and environmental problems across many fields of the design practice, from architecture and products to fashion, graphics, new media, and landscapes.
This year there are a total of 5 Norwegian contributions to the exhibition; a clear indication that Norway is on the forefront of innovative design and that Norwegian artists and designers - by focusing on clever, beautiful and functional solutions - are able to compete and succeed in a global market.
Below is a list of the Norwegian designers and firms shown at the Cooper Hewitt Triennial, and how they have answered the question about the significance of design.
Snøhetta
With: The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, Norway.
Why?
The design of the Oslo Opera House provides open, communal public space with waterfront access, evoking landscape as much as architecture, and performs as an eco-effective building. The Opera has proved itself as a major cultural center in Oslo, drawing large crowd as much because of the building itself as for its excellent program. This beautiful building seamlessly merges land with water and has not only transformed the cities waterfront into one of the most interesting in Scandinavia – it has also brought more attention to Oslo than any other building in the past has achieved. Amongst more than 10 projects in the Americas alone, Snøhetta is currently building the 9/11 Memorial Building in New York.
Luxo
With: Ninety Light
Why?
Highly efficient LED task light that uses 6 watts of electricity and lasts 25 years. This simple lamp possesses a minimalistic beauty that is in part influenced by more traditional Norwegian designs.
Kode Design i collaboration with Design Without Borders
With: Armadillo Body Armor and Facemask
Why?
Landmines affect the lives of people in over 80 countries; manual de-mining continues to be the most effective de-mining method. The Armadillo de-mining equipment improves the health and safety of the people tasked with this perilous work, reduces casualties in landmine-affected areas, and increases the standards of personal protection equipment.
Hugo Industridesign
With: Orio
Why?
A device used to organize tubes and cables in hospitals, preventing tangles, mismanagement and kinks in tubes that could lead to a medicinal supply or fluid being cut off from the patient. The Orio can be attached to any pole, tube or rail found in a hospital.
FIN Fashion
With: spring/summer 2010 collection
Why?
Environmentally friendly and socially responsible fashion production using organic and all-natural materials.