NEW YORK-New York City will be the next region highlighted in MoMA’s eleventh Destination: Design series, a program of the MoMA Design Store. The product collection, slated to be the largest of all of the Destination: Design series, will be available in stores and online May 2013.
“We’ve been a longtime champion of local design and have scouted talent in our own backyard since the MoMA Design Store’s earliest days,” said Kathy Thornton-Bias, president of MoMA’s retail division. “We’ve never been more impressed with the creativity and innovation happening today in the five boroughs and wanted to emphasize the city’s talents with a dedicated product collection.”
An open call earlier this year to designers living and working in NYC’s five boroughs drew more than 1,000 submissions across a range of categories. To develop the final collection, the MoMA Design Store is working collaboratively with a design jury whose members include Paola Antonelli, senior curator of architecture and design and director of research and development, The Museum of Modern Art; Ayse Birsel, designer, Fulbright scholar and Cooper-Hewitt Museum National Design Awards finalist; Calvin Tsao, president emeritus of The Architectural League of New York; Duro Olowu, British designer; Emily Glasser, founder and owner of CAMA Products, LLC; and Emmanuel Plat, director of merchandising for The Museum of Modern Art’s retail division. All of the products will be made in the U.S.
“Destination: Design reflects the Museum’s mission to educate the public about modern art and good design. We’ve traveled the world to introduce shoppers to the latest and most innovative design concepts from regions such as Mexico, Istanbul, Portugal, Japan, Seoul, Brazil and Finland,” said Thornton-Bias. “Now, we’re showing the world what we have to offer and are making many discoveries about contemporary design in New York City and American manufacturing in the process.”
Antonelli added, “In New York City, we are fortunate to be surrounded by design that represents a wide range of backgrounds, ideas and passions. We’re thrilled to offer a direct connection to these designers through Destination: NYC, and hope the project will inspire both New Yorkers and guests to think critically about innovative design and its role in our everyday life.”
Destination: NYC is made possible by the support of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.