Upcoming Exhibitions

Saturated: The allure and science of color

A psychedelic poster designed by Victor Moscoso for The Steve Miller Band in 1967 depicts a woman painted in day-glo orange surrounded by lines of blue and red rippling outward from her body. — Poster, The Miller Blues Band, 1967; Designed by Victor Moscoso (Spanish, active USA, b.1936); offset lithograph on white wove paper; 50.3 x 35.8 cm (19 13/16 x 14 1/8 in.); Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie J. Schreyer; 1979-34-38; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

An ancient vase of blue blown and drawn glass with erosion markings. — Aryballos, 3rd-4th century; blown and drawn glass; Overall: 9.8 x 6 cm (3 7/8 x 2 3/8 in.); 1958-26-3; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

A Fanette Meillier 2008 poster titled Specimen. The front, fully saturated with color and technical elements related to printing (scale 1), is offset printed with a very thin raster. Thr space saturation, like an obsessive canvas, presents graphical tools that are a common vocabulary for books makers. — Poster, Specimen, 2008; Designed by Fanette Mellier (French, b. 1977); France; offset lithograph on paper; 175 x 118.6 cm (5 ft. 8 7/8 in. x 46 11/16 in.); Gift of Fanette Mellier; 2013-18-1 Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

On view may 11, 2018 through january 13, 2019

Explores the elusive, complex phenomenon of color perception and how it has captivated artists, designers, scientists and philosophers. Featuring over 190 objects spanning from antiquity to the present, the exhibition reveals how designers apply the theories of the world’s greatest color thinkers to bring order and excitement to the visual world.

Supporters

Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color is made possible in part by support from the August Heckscher Exhibition Fund, Judy Francis Zankel, PeclersParis, and The Josef and Anni Albers Fund.