James Stirling

Frequently overlooked because, paradoxically, of his stylistic breadth, James Stirling is now beginning to garner recognition.

Frequently overlooked because, paradoxically, of his stylistic breadth, James Stirling is now beginning to garner recognition for his architectural erudition and the role it played in transforming the trajectory of postwar modernism. “Notes from the Archive: James Frazer Stirling, Architect and Teacher” promises to sow new interpretations of Stirling’s embrace of high, historical, vernacular, and contextual architectures, offering less a monographic retrospective than a peek into the architect’s brain. On view will be some 300 objects, including documentation of Stirling’s

Nendo, Cabbage chair, 2008, pleated paper, dimensions variable.

previews May 2010

Why Design Now?

Shopaholics may be able to hide their Prada purchases in reusable Whole Foods bags, but what’s a designer to do during a downturn economy in the era of global warming?

Shopaholics may be able to hide their Prada purchases in reusable Whole Foods bags, but what’s a designer to do during a downturn economy in the era of global warming? The Cooper-Hewitt’s Fourth National Design Triennial, titled “Why Design Now?” promises some answers. Organized around eight themes—energy, mobility, community, materials, prosperity, health, communication, and simplicity— the exhibition argues that design is ever more urgently needed during this crisis moment, not just to solve problems but to change behavior.