In a world where design serves as both a mirror and a lens for society’s most pressing issues, Objects: USA 2024 emerges as a pivotal exhibition that encapsulates the current state of collectible design in America. Hosted by the esteemed New York-based gallery, R & Company, this exhibition is not merely a showcase; it is a profound exploration of how contemporary designers and artists are responding to the rapidly changing landscapes of craft, culture, and society.
As the second installment in R & Company’s triannual series, Objects: USA 2024 builds on the legacy of its predecessor while charting new territories of thought and creativity. The exhibition features the works of 55 artists and designers, each of whom has been meticulously selected for their unique contributions to the field of collectible design. Spanning a diverse array of disciplines—from ceramics to furniture, from textiles to glass—the exhibition reflects the rich tapestry of America’s creative scene. Yet, beyond its impressive roster of talent, Objects: USA 2024 is significant for the conversations it ignites around the role of design in addressing the multifaceted challenges of our time.
Reviving Craft Traditions: A Return to the Hands
One of the exhibition’s central themes is the revival of craft traditions, an aspect that has seen a resurgence in recent years. In an era dominated by digital technology and mass production, there is a growing appreciation for the handmade, the tactile, and the artisanal. This revival is not merely nostalgic; it is a reclamation of techniques and practices that connect contemporary creators with their historical roots. By revisiting traditional methods, the artists in (Objects: USA 2024) are not only preserving these practices but are also reinterpreting them to suit modern sensibilities.
Take, for example, the work of ceramist Olivia Lopez, whose pieces draw inspiration from indigenous pottery techniques yet incorporate modern forms and glazes. Her vessels, though rooted in ancient traditions, speak to today’s minimalist aesthetic, highlighting how old-world craftsmanship can be seamlessly integrated into contemporary design. Similarly, furniture maker David Randall’s works are a testament to the enduring appeal of woodworking. Using locally sourced timber, Randall employs time-honored joinery methods to create pieces that are both functional and sculptural, embodying the philosophy that true craftsmanship transcends time
Material Experimentation: Pushing the Boundaries
Objects: USA 2024 also shines a spotlight on material experimentation, a practice that is driving much of today’s most innovative design. For many artists and designers, the exploration of unconventional materials is not just about aesthetics; it is a means of making powerful statements about sustainability, waste, and the future of our planet. In this context, material becomes a medium for activism, and the results are both visually striking and intellectually stimulating.
Among the standout works is a series by experimental designer Maxine Fields, who transforms industrial waste into stunning, functional objects. By repurposing discarded plastics and metals, Fields challenges the throwaway culture that pervades modern consumerism. Her work not only questions the environmental impact of industrial processes but also reimagines waste as a source of beauty and utility.
In a similar vein, textile artist Eleanor Parker uses natural dyes and fibers to create intricate wall hangings that are as much about process as they are about the final product. Her work is a meditation on the relationship between humans and nature, where the materials themselves tell stories of their origins and transformation. By choosing to work with sustainable, organic materials, Parker underscores the importance of environmental stewardship in design, making her pieces both a celebration of nature and a call to protect it.
Sociopolitical Challenges: Design as a Form of Resistance
In addition to exploring craft and materiality, Objects: USA 2024 confronts the sociopolitical challenges that are shaping the contemporary design landscape. The exhibition does not shy away from the difficult conversations that define our time—conversations about political instability, environmental degradation, and the ongoing struggles for social justice. Through their work, the participating artists and designers engage with these issues, using design as a form of resistance, commentary, and activism.
The work of activist-artist Terrence Morris is particularly notable in this regard. His installations, which fuse elements of street art with traditional craft, are a visceral response to the current political climate in the United States. By combining imagery from protest movements with materials like wood and metal, Morris creates pieces that are both defiant and hopeful. His work serves as a reminder that design can be a powerful tool for social change, capable of inspiring action and fostering dialogue.
Similarly, the designs of architect Maria Solis confront the urgent issue of climate change. Her series of modular shelters, designed for communities displaced by natural disasters, exemplifies how design can address humanitarian needs. These structures are not only practical and sustainable but also dignified spaces that prioritize the well-being of their occupants. Solis’s work challenges the notion that emergency housing must be temporary or utilitarian, proposing instead that it can be a source of comfort and community.
Re-appropriation Toward Impressionism
Another compelling theme in Objects: USA 2024 is cultural re-appropriation, a subject that has sparked intense debate within the design community. As globalization blurs the lines between cultures, the question of who gets to claim, reinterpret, and profit from cultural symbols has become increasingly complex. The exhibition delves into this issue, examining how contemporary designers navigate the fine line between inspiration and appropriation.
One of the artists grappling with this issue is textile designer Aisha Khan, whose work explores her dual heritage as a first-generation American of South Asian descent. Khan’s textiles incorporate traditional motifs from her ancestral homeland, reimagined in a contemporary context. By doing so, she both honors and reinvents the cultural narratives that have shaped her identity. However, Khan is acutely aware of the potential pitfalls of re-appropriation and engages with these complexities through her work, prompting viewers to consider the ethical implications of cultural borrowing in design.
Conversely, designer Jorge Martinez uses his work to challenge the notion of cultural purity altogether. His furniture pieces are an eclectic mix of styles, materials, and references, reflecting the hybrid nature of his upbringing in a multicultural neighborhood. For Martinez, design is not about preserving static cultural identities but about celebrating the fluid, ever-evolving nature of culture itself. His work invites us to question whether strict boundaries between cultures are even relevant in today’s interconnected world.
Curatorial Vision: A Brief Overview
The success of “Objects: USA 2024” lies not only in the quality of the work on display but also in the curatorial vision that brings it all together. The exhibition is thoughtfully arranged to highlight both individual talent and the broader themes that unite the works. By grouping pieces according to thematic resonance rather than by medium or geography, the curators at R & Company have created a narrative that unfolds as visitors move through the space. Each section of the exhibition offers new insights, encouraging viewers to draw connections between the diverse practices on display.
This curatorial approach is particularly effective in showcasing the distinct voices of the artists while also emphasizing the collective impact of the exhibition. Whether through the revival of craft, the exploration of new materials, or the engagement with sociopolitical issues, each artist contributes to a larger conversation about the role of design in today’s world. The result is a dynamic, multifaceted exhibition that captures the spirit of contemporary American design in all its complexity.
As “Objects: USA 2024” opens its doors to the public, it marks a moment of reflection for the design community. The exhibition challenges us to think critically about the future of collectible design, urging us to consider how tradition, innovation, and social responsibility can coexist and enrich one another. In highlighting the diverse practices of contemporary American artists and designers, R & Company has curated an exhibition that is not only visually compelling but also intellectually and culturally significant.
