Upcoming Exhibitions

Rebeca Méndez Selects

Hammered steel nails feather outward from a raised gold, silver, mother of pearl necklace .

Sidewall; 1905–13; Manufactured by Zuber & Cie (Rixheim, Alsace, France); Block-printed on paper; Gift of James J. Rorimer, 1950-111-10

A colored illustration of a toucan from the 1806 text Natural History of Birds of Paradise and Rollers: Follow by that of Toucans and Barbets, Vol. 2, — Book, Histoire naturelle des oiseaux de paradis et des rolliers: suivie de celle des toucans et des barbus (Natural History of Birds of Paradise and Rollers: Followed by that of Toucans and Barbets), Volume 2; 1806; Written by François Levaillant (French, 1753–1824); Illustrated by Jacques Barraband (French, 1767–1809); Smithsonian Libraries, QL674.L65 1806

Drawing, Study for “Quickest Way by Air Mail” Poster; 1935; Designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer (American, 1890–1954) for the British General Post Office (London, England); mixed media on paper; Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer, 1963-39-898, 1963-39-899, 1963-39-900

The wing of a male Montezuma Oropendola. Brown feathers with a specimen tag attached. From the Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History. — Bird Specimen, Montezuma Oropendola (Psarocolius montezuma); Skin (male), wing; Division of Birds, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 562726

On view October 5, 2018 through JuNE 16, 2019

The 17th installation in the series that invites designers, artists, writers, and cultural figures to explore and respond to the permanent collection. The 2012 National Design Award winner for Communication Design, Méndez draws connections across the diverse collections of Cooper Hewitt, the National Museum of Natural History, and the Smithsonian Libraries to explore how culture, design, technology, and the natural world have converged.

Tablescapes: Designs for Dining

Glazed and gilded porcelain with polychrome overglaze decoration Bequest of Mrs. John Innes Kane, 1926-22-468-a/c

Pen and brown ink, brush, and gray and pale yellow watercolor over graphite on light green paper. Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund, 1938 88 5779.

Manufactured by Glendale Linen Company (New Jersey, USA) Screen-printed linen plain weave. Lent by Mergentime Family Archive.

Manufactured by Hand Prints (Wappinger Falls, New York, USA) Screen-printed linen plain weave. Lent by Mergentime Family Archive

Made by Shapeways (New York, New York, USA), 3D-printed polymer.

On view October 5, 2018 through April 14, 2019

Three distinct table settings from different time periods illuminate how design transforms the ritual of communal dining in response to cultural and social changes.