Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980

March 08, 2024 – November 10, 2024

The Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art presents Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980, the first exhibition by a major American museum to examine modern design in the region on a broad scale. On view from March 8 through November 10, 2024, the exhibition focuses on six countries—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela—that spearheaded the development of modern domestic design in Latin America. Through more than 100 objects, including furniture, graphic design, textiles, ceramics, and photography, drawn from MoMA’s collection and from public and private collections across the US, Latin America, and Europe, the exhibition demonstrates how the field of design in Latin America provides a valuable platform for examining and understanding larger political, social, and cultural transformations in the region. Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980 is organized by Ana Elena Mallet, guest curator, and Amanda Forment, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art.

El Museo de Arte Moderno presenta Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980, la primera exposición en uno de los museos más importantes de Estados Unidos en examinar el diseño moderno de la región a gran escala. En exhibición del 8 de marzo al 10 de noviembre de 2024, la exposición se centra en seis países (Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, México y Venezuela) que compartieron procesos similares de modernización y encabezaron el desarrollo del diseño doméstico moderno en América Latina. A través de más de 100 objetos, que incluyen muebles, diseño gráfico, textiles, cerámica y fotografía, procedentes de la colección del MoMA y de colecciones públicas y privadas de Estados Unidos, América Latina y Europa, la exposición muestra cómo el campo del diseño en América Latina ofrece una valiosa plataforma para examinar y comprender transformaciones políticas, sociales y culturales más amplias en la región.

Organized by Ana Elena Mallet, guest curator, and Amanda Forment, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art.

Generous funding for the exhibition is provided by The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art.

Additional support is provided by the Annual Exhibition Fund. Leadership contributions to the Annual Exhibition Fund, in support of the Museum’s collection and collection exhibitions, are generously provided by the Sandra and Tony Tamer Exhibition Fund, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Jerry I. Speyer and Katherine G. Farley, Eva and Glenn Dubin, the Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, Kenneth C. Griffin, Alice and Tom Tisch, the Marella and Giovanni Agnelli Fund for Exhibitions, Mimi Haas, The David Rockefeller Council, The Contemporary Arts Council of The Museum of Modern Art, Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz, Kathy and Richard S. Fuld, Jr., The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art, Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis, Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, and The Young Patrons Council of The Museum of Modern Art. Major contributions to the Annual Exhibition Fund are provided by The Sundheim Family Foundation.

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Images

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Clara Porset (Mexican, born Cuba. 1895–1981). Butaque . 1957. Laminated wood and woven wicker, 28 3/4 × 25 13/16 × 33 7/16″ (73 × 65.6 × 84.9 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of The Modern Women’s Fund. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Oscar Niemeyer (Brazilian, 1907–2012). “Module” Low Table . 1978. Painted plywood and steel, 9 1/2 x 75 3/4 x 19 3/4″ (24.1 x 192.4 x 50.2 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Committee on Architecture and Design Funds. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Lina Bo Bardi (Brazilian, born Italy. 1914–1992). Bowl Chair . 1951. Steel and fabric, 21 5/8 × 33 1/16 × 33 1/16″ (55 × 84 × 84 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Committee on Architecture and Design Funds. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Guillermo González Ruiz (Argentine, born 1937), Roland Shakespear (Argentine, born 1941). New Knoll Designs (New Designs from Knoll) . C.1970. Lithograph. 41 x 27 3/4″ (104.1 x 70.5 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Anonymous gift. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Roberto Burle Marx (Brazilian, 1909–1994). Ibirapuera Park, Quadricentennial Gardens, project, São Paulo, Brazil (Plan, detail five ). 1953. Gouache on board, 43 x 52 1/8″ (109.2 x 132.4 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Inter-American Fund. © 2024 Burle Marx & Cia.Ltda

Antonio Bonet (Spanish, 1913–1989), Juan Kurchan (Argentine, 1913–1975), Jorge Ferrari Hardoy (Argentine, 1914–1977). BKF Chair. 1938. Painted wrought-iron rod and leather, Overall: 34 3/8 x 32 3/4 x 29 3/4″ (87.3 x 83.2 x 75.6 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Juan Baixas (Chilean, born 1942). Puzzle Chair. 1975. Wood and canvas, assembled: 28 5/8 x 24 x 31 1/2″ (72.7 x 61 x 80 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the Juan Ignacio Baixas Archive. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Antonio Bandeira (Brazilian, 1922–1967). 2nd São Paolo Museum of Modern Art Biennial. Poster for 2nd Biennial, Museu de Arte Moderna, Sao Paulo, Brazil . 1954. Lithograph, 39 1/8 x 27 1/2″ (99.4 x 69.9 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the designer. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Emilio Ambasz (Argentine, born 1943). Flashlights . 1983. Manufacturer: GB Plast, Bologna, Italy. ABS plastic, Each: 4 x 1 1/4 x 1″ (10.2 x 3.2 x 2.5 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the designer. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Roberto Matta (Chilean, 1911–2002). Malitte Lounge Furniture. 1966. Manufacturer: Gavina, Italy. Wool and polyurethane foam, Overall: 63 x 63 x 25″ (160 x 160 x 63.5 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Knoll International © 2024 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

Brigadas Ramona Parra, Juventudes Comunistas de Chile. Brigadas Ramona Parra, Juventudes Comunistas de Chile (Poster for an exhibition at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Santiago).1971. Publisher: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Santiago. Screenprint, 30 1/2 x 21 5/8″ (77.5 x 54.9 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Anonymous gift. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Michael van Beuren (Mexican, born United States. 1911–2004), Klaus Grabe (German, 1910–2004), Morley Webb (American, 1910–1986). Entry panel for MoMA Latin American Competition for the exhibition Organic Design in Home Furnishings (1941). c. 1940. Ink and photo collage on paper, 19 3/4 x 31 1/2″ (50.2 x 80 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of the designer, 2008. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Michael van Beuren (Mexican, born United States. 1911–2004), Klaus Grabe (German, 1910–2004), Morley Webb (American, 1910–1986). Alacrán (scorpion) chaise. c. 1940. Primavera wood and nylon strap, 32 × 25 1/2 × 61″ (81.3 × 64.8 × 154.9 cm). Private collection

Gerd Leufert (Venezuelan, born Lithuania. 1914–1998). Gego Esculturas (Poster for an exhibition in Bogota). 1967. Lithograph, 27 1/2 × 19 5/8″ (69.9 × 49.8 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Anonymous gift. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Alejandro Otero (Venezuelan, 1921–1990). Ortogonal (Collage) 1. 1951. Cut-and-pasted colored paper on paper mounted on paper, 12 5/8 x 12 5/8″ (32.1 x 32.1 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Gift of Patricia Phelps de Cisneros in honor of Marie-Josée Kravis. © 2024 / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / AUTORARTE, Venezuela. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Ana Mercedes Hoyos (Colombian, 1942–2014). Proyecto para ventana (Window Project). 1976. Oil on canvas, 47 1/4 × 47 1/4″ (120 × 120 cm). Courtesy Ana Mosseri, Director of the Estate of Ana Mercedes Hoyos

Jacques Mosseri (Colombian, 1936). Cuatroenuno (fourinone) table. 1978. Guayacán wood, 5 7/16 × 7 1/16 × 6 1/2″ (13.8 × 17.9 × 16.5 cm). Collection of designer

Cornelis Zitman (Venezuelan, born the Netherlands. 1926–2016). Dining chair. 1955. Teak with woven enea, 33 × 20 × 22″ (83.8 × 50.8 × 55.9 cm). The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Committee on Architecture and Design Funds. Digital image © 2024 The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Installation view of Crafting Modernity: Design in Latin America, 1940–1980, on view at The Museum of Modern Art from March 8 through September 22, 2024. Photo: Robert Gerhardt