In the last few decades, Marc Newson, Zaha Hadid, Doug Bucci, and others have grappled with what nature means in our tech-driven world through varied approaches. Some designers allude to a loose concept of the organic through playful forms that suggest living organisms, while others emphasize the responsible use of materials and energy. More recently, artists have taken advantage of 3-D printing and computer algorithms to create works rooted in the principles of nature.
By bringing together nature-inspired objects from the past century and a half—and examining the forces that shaped them—this exhibition offers a fresh look at the power of design.
CHANNELING NATURE BY DESIGN
Philadelphia Museum of Art
through July 16, 2017
image: Doug Bucci Islet Necklace, 2012. Selective laser sintering (glass-filled nylon) and silver. 20 x 20 x 1/2 inches