Talk to Me: Design and the Communication between People and Objects
July 24–November 7, 2011
MEMBER PREVIEWS ON NOWSpecial Exhibitions Gallery, third floor
The exhibition focuses on objects that involve a direct interaction, such as interfaces, information systems, visualization design, and communication devices, and on projects that establish an emotional, sensual, or intellectual connection with their users. Examples range from a few iconic products of the late 1960s to several projects currently in development—including computer and machine interfaces, websites, video games, devices and tools, furniture and physical products, and extending to installations and whole environments.
The Department of Architecture and Design is documenting the process of organizing Talk to Me from its early stages through its opening in July 2011 and beyond via an online journal. The site features projects we are currently studying and some we have already selected, along with relevant references and feedback and suggestions from designers and writers. Since we always cast our nets very wide and count on suggestions and opinions from the design community, this step comes very naturally. Besides, communication is what this exhibition is all about. Visit the online journal at wp.moma.org/talk_to_me/.
The exhibition is made possible by Hyundai Card Company.
Additional support is provided by Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis, Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Inc., and The Junior Associates of The Museum of Modern Art.
Related Events
Upcoming
Past
Talk to Me: A Symposium
This evening and daylong program features presentations, conversations, interviews, and performances on the subjects of design and script writing, cognitive science, gaming, augmented reality, and communication, with a keynote address on October 18 by the hosts of WNYC's Radiolab, Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich.
On October 19, panel discussions will be moderated by Paola Antonell; Adam Bly, founder and CEO, Seed Media Group; Majora Carter, President, Majora Carter Group; and Jamer Hunt, Director, MFA in Transdisciplinary Design program, Parsons The New School for Design.
Other participants include:
- Jake Barton, founder and principal, Local Projects
- Ayah Bdeir, artist, engineer, and designer
- Ayse Birsel, designer, co-principal, Birsel+Seck
- Sandra Bloodworth, director of MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design
- Kenyatta Cheese, expert in social network narratives
- Revital Cohen, designer
- Bjarke Ingels, architect, founding partner, Bjarke Ingels Group
- Dwight Garner, book critic, The New York Times
- Tahir Hemphill, designer
- Natalie Jeremijenko, artist and associate professor of visual arts, New York University
- Matt Jones and Jack Schulze, principals, BERG
- Alex Kalman, filmmaker
- Laura Kurgan, associate professor of architecture at the Graduate School of Architecture, Preservation, and Planning, Columbia University
- Kati London, designer and technologist, director of product, Zynga New York
- Marcus Samuelsson, chef, activist, and entrepreneur
- Kevin Slavin, philosopher of design
- Sputniko!, designer and performer
This program was conceived by Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator, and Kate Carmody, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art—who are also the curators of the exhibition.
Program Schedule
October 18, 6:00 p.m.
An evening with Radiolab
October 19, 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
10 a.m.
Introduction by Paola Antonelli
10:15 a.m.
Design Snippets: Matt Jones and Jack Schulze
10:30 a.m.
Design and Scriptwriting
Panelists: Ayse Birsel, Kenyatta Cheese, and Kevin Slavin
Moderator: Jamer Hunt
11:30 a.m.
Design Snippets: Jake Barton and Tahir Hemphill
11:45 a.m.
Translating Worlds
Revital Cohen, Natalie Jeremijenko, and Matt Jones
Moderator: Adam Bly
12:45 p.m.
Lunch Break
2:00 p.m.
Design Snippets: Ayah Bdeir and Kati London
2:15 p.m.
The Talkative City
Dwight Garner and Sandra Bloodworth
Moderator: Majora Carter
3:15 p.m.
Break
3:35 p.m.
Design Snippets: Laura Kurgan and Alex Kalman
3:50 p.m.
Xtreme Communication
Bjarke Ingels, Marcus Samuelsson, and Sputniko!
Moderator: Paola Antonelli
4:50 p.m.
Performance by Sputniko!
5:10 p.m.
Wrap Up
5:30–7:00 p.m.
Reception in MoMA Sculpture Garden
The Language of Objects
Rob Walker, contributing writer to The New York Times Magazine and co-organizer (with Joshua Glenn) of the creative writing project Significant Objects, which seeks to transform objects through stories about them, orchestrates an evening of responses to objects in the exhibition Talk to Me: Design and the Communication between People and Objects. Poets, writers, artists and cultural critics tell stories about, create instructions for, offer reviews of, and engage in conversations with select objects. Participants include Kenneth Goldsmith, poet; Ben Greenman, author and editor, The New Yorker; Leanne Shapton, illustrator, author, and publisher; and Cintra Wilson, culture critic.
Masamichi Udagawa and Sigi Moeslinger of Antenna Design, David Reinfurt, Kathleen Holman, and MTA New York City Transit. MetroCard Vending Machine. 1999. Steel and other materials, 6' 7 7/8" x 41 11/16" x 26" (203 x 106 x 66 cm). Director, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Visual Basic software. Manufactured by Cubic Transportation Systems, USA. Image (c) Antenna Design
Related Publication
Early Viewing Hours for Members
Wednesdays–Mondays, July 20–September 12, 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Members enjoy special early viewing hours of Talk to Me: Design and the Communication between People and Objects before the Museum opens to the public. Early Viewing Hours are open to all members and their guests. Present your membership card and/or member guest admission ticket at the Museum entrance.
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