Century of the Child: Growing by Design, 1900–2000
Jul 29, 2012 to Nov 05, 2012
Official Site
MoMA’s ambitious survey of 20th-century design for children is the first large-scale overview of the modernist preoccupation with childhood as a paradigm for progressive design thinking. The exhibition brings together areas underrepresented in design history, including school architecture, clothing, playgrounds, toys and games, children’s hospitals and safety equipment, nurseries, furniture, and books. In 1900, Swedish design and social theorist Ellen Key’s book Century of the Child presaged the 20th century as a period of intensified focus and progressive thinking regarding the rights, development, and well-being of children as interests of utmost importance to all society.
Taking inspiration from Key—and looking back through the 20th century—this exhibition examines individual and collective visions for the material world of children, from utopian dreams for the citizens of the future to the dark realities of political conflict and exploitation. Throughout this period children have been central to the conc, ambitions, and activities of modern architects and designers both famous and unsung, who found that working specifically for the youngest members of society provided unique freedom and creativity.
Image: Ladislav Sutnar (American, born Bohemia [now Czech Republic]. 1897–1976). Build the Town building blocks. 1940–43. Painted wood, thirty pieces of various dimensions, largest smokestack: 7 3/8 x 2″ (18.7 x 5.1 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Ctislav Sutnar and Radoslav Sutnar.
Author: MoMa
The Museum of Modern Art
Museums
West 50s
11 West 53 Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 708-9400
Site
Map
All events and times are subject to change.
Sign up for our newsletter !