Can you make an oddly-shaped space evoke curiosity?
Also, can you make it a circus tent?
A background in environmental design often comes in handy in a pinch. The Museum of Modern Art would agree.
While the brief was hyper specific, this was my first circus tent design experience (shocking) and the turnaround was quick. The challenge was multi-faceted: transform an irregular-shaped room into a sympathetic cocoon, plumb for visitor inquisition.
Voilà: a circus tent in a Museum!
The challenge was posed: design an elevated, hand-sewn, circus-inspired tent to be housed within the Museum of Modern Art… Easy, right?
The interior space needed to meet practical criteria: provide a large, open interior experience with a streamlined, relaxed attendee flow. Also, I had less than 48 hours to do it.
I worked closely with Guest Curator Victoria Bartlett, supporting MoMA’s onsite team. The aesthetic character developed naturally through navigation criteria, scale limitations, and of environmental opportunities and challenges.
MoMA’s exhibition team managed final physical production and installation.
Kai Althoff: and then leave me to the common swifts (und dann überlasst mich den Mauerseglern). Exhibit designed and curated by Kai Althoff and organized at the Museum of Modern Art by Laura Hoptman, Curator, and Margaret Ewing, Curatorial Assistant, Department of Painting and Sculpture.
© Kai Althoff, all images copyright and courtesy of the artist and MoMA, New York
Client: Victoria Bartlett for artist Kai Althoff with The Museum of Modern Art
Location: New York, NY, USA
Season: 2016
Role: environmental design and production design
Discipline: environmental, spacial design