I'm a lifelong sneakerhead, so naturally I leapt at the chance to write numerous essays on canonical footwear in conjunction with the MoMA exhibition Items: Is Fashion Modern. From the sophisticated air cell technology of the Nike Air Force 1s to the low-tech but lovable Swedish wooden clog, I had a blast researching and sharing the history of different shoe designs and pontificating on their impact on popular culture.
I also contributed essays on the acquisition and exhibition history of several MoMA masterworks to the exhibition catalogue for Être Moderne: MoMA à Paris, currently at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.
Leo Fender, George Fullerton, Freddie Tavares. Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar. Designed 1954, this example 1957. Wood, metal, and plastic. The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Committee on Architecture and Design Funds
One of my favorite acquisitions to work on for The Museum of Modern Art's design collection was an all-original 1957 Fender Stratocaster electric guitar. The Strat is a thing of beauty: an icon of industrial design, and one of the most popular musical instruments of the 20th century. It was quite the tall order to find the best, most archetypal example of this legendary guitar.
Read my account of the hunt for the perfect Strat on the Museum's blog here.