With 2020 just starting, here’s a round-up of some of the most exciting exhibitions set for the year. On the programme: fashion at the Design Museum in London, luxury at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, and 20th-century interior design at the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany.
At the Design Museum, London, United Kingdom:
“Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street,” from May 6
A footwear phenomenon in recent years, sneakers will take pride of place at the Design Museum in London with a show that explores the many aspects of today’s must-have shoes.
“Prada. Front and Back,” September
This forthcoming exhibition at the Design Museum will offer an unprecedented look at the creative processes, inspirations and iconic collaborations of Miuccia Prada’s venerable Italian fashion house.
At the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France:
“Loewe Foundation Craft Prize,” from May 21 to July 12
The Craft Prize was created in 2016 by Jonathan Anderson, creative director of the Spanish luxury brand Loewe, and rewards creative excellence by highlighting the connection between craft and contemporary culture. Next year, the Musee des Arts Decoratifs will showcase works by the finalists in competition for the 2020 prize.
“Luxes,” from April 23 to Aug 16
Presented last year at the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the exhibition “Luxes” is coming to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. The show explores the notion of luxury with a collection of 100 pieces that extends from the marchands-merciers in the 1700s and 1800s to the extravagant designs of luxury houses in the early 21st century.
At the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany:
“Home Stories: 100 Years, 20 Visionary Interiors,” from Feb 8 to Aug 23
Interiors are expressions of our way of living, which shape our day-to-day lives and our wellbeing. With the exhibition “Home Stories: 100 Years, 20 Visionary Interiors” the Vitra Design Museum will take a step back in time to tell the story of how private interiors have evolved over the past century. The exhibition will focus on 20 iconic interiors by architects including Assemble, Lina Bo Bardi and Josef Frank, artists like Andy Warhol, Roland Penrose and Lee Miller, and interior designers such as Elsie de Wolfe and Cecil Beaton, highlighting the important societal, political, urban and technical aspects that have shaped Western interiors.
“Gae Aulenti: A Creative Universe,” from Feb 29 to June 28
Known for her redesign of the interior of the Musée d’Orsay, Gae Aulenti was also one of the few women who achieved renown in the postwar world of Italian design and architecture. The Vitra Design Museum pays homage to Aulenti with an exhibition that looks back on her prolific, multifaceted career.