Design for the other 90%

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A review of the Cooper-Hewitt exhibition
By Natalia Allen
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Is the role of a museum to reflect public thinking or to inspire new thought?

The awareness of design for social change has certainly gained momentum over the past few years, and it is timely for the national design museum to survey some leading initiatives. But while taking in the Cooper-Hewitt's new show, Design for the Other 90%, I wondered if I was viewing an array of raw-edged artifacts, or true design solutions. The entire exhibition is laid out in the museum's back yard—apt for the season—but as an exhibition of design for the poorest global communities, the clever inventions had a tough time communicating clearly while poised on the lawn. To truly appreciate their value, I needed to read the exhibition book, which details the origins of the designs and the specific issues the designers aimed to ameliorate. So by all means come to the garden, but be prepared to do some summer reading afterwards.

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