Crafting Modernity Design in Latin America, 1940–1980

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
11 West 53rd Street
“There is design in everything,” wrote Clara Porset, the innovative Cuban-Mexican designer. She believed that craft and industry could inspire each other, forging an alternative path for modern design. Not all of Porset’s colleagues agreed with her c... more
“There is design in everything,” wrote Clara Porset, the innovative Cuban-Mexican designer. She believed that craft and industry could inspire each other, forging an alternative path for modern design. Not all of Porset’s colleagues agreed with her conviction. This exhibition presents these sometimes conflicting visions of modernity proposed by designers of home environments in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela between 1940 and 1980. For some, design was an evolution of local and Indigenous craft traditions, leading to an approach that combined centuries-old artisanal techniques with machine-based methods. For others, design responded to market conditions and local tastes, and was based on available technologies and industrial processes. In this exhibition, objects including furniture, appliances, posters, textiles, and ceramics, as well as a selection of photographs and paintings, will explore these tensions.The home became a site of experimentation for modern living during a period marked by dramatic political, economic, and social changes, which had broad repercussions for Latin American visual culture. For nearly half a century, the design of the domesti... more
“There is design in everything,” wrote Clara Porset, the innovative Cuban-Mexican designer. She believed that craft and industry could inspire each other, forging an alternative path for modern design. Not all of Porset’s colleagues agreed with her conviction. This exhibition presents these sometimes conflicting visions of modernity proposed by designers of home environments in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela between 1940 and 1980. For some, design was an evolution of local and Indigenous craft traditions, leading to an approach that combined centuries-old artisanal techniques with machine-based methods. For others, design responded to market conditions and local tastes, and was based on available technologies and industrial processes. In this exhibition, objects including furniture, appliances, posters, textiles, and ceramics, as well as a selection of photographs and paintings, will explore these tensions.

The home became a site of experimentation for modern living during a period marked by dramatic political, economic, and social changes, which had broad repercussions for Latin American visual culture. For nearly half a century, the design of the domestic environment embodied ideas of national identity, models of production, and modern ways of living. The home also offered opportunities for a dialogue between art, architecture, and design. Highlights of the exhibition include Clara Porset’s Butaque chair; Lina Bo Bardi’s Bowl chair; Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan, and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy’s B.K.F. Chair; and Roberto Matta’s Malitte Lounge Furniture.

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Crafting Modernity Design in Latin America, 1940–1980

Mon, April 29
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
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Tue, April 30
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Wed, May 01
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Thu, May 02
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Fri, May 03
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Sat, May 04
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Sun, May 05
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Mon, May 06
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Tue, May 07
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Wed, May 08
10:30AM
$
$30 - Adults
$22 - Seniors
$17 - Students
Children (16 and under): Free

Advance purchase of tickets is required to guarantee entry. Visitors who
book tickets online save $2 per ticket.

Special exhibitions, audio programs, films, and gallery talks are included in the price of admission.
Free admission for New York City residents on the first Friday evening of every month, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Get Tickets
Occurs 119 more times through Sep 04

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

11 West 53rd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 708-9400
Website

Schedule

Apr 29, Mon 10:30AM - 5:30PM
Apr 30, Tue 10:30AM - 5:30PM
May 1, Wed 10:30AM - 5:30PM
May 2, Thu 10:30AM - 5:30PM
See complete schedule

Admission From

$15

Category

Arts

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