CUZCO

December 17, 2014

The Cuzco Collection by Zuzunaga combines bright colors, irregular geometry, and a fascinating history to create these charming and super functional poufs. The poufs are inspired by the Saksaywaman dry stone wall outside of Cuzco in Peru, an ancient Incan structure comprised of precisely cut stones, fitting together without cement and forming an indesctructible wall able to withstand centuries. This grouping of four poufs works together in endless combinations to make a one-of-a-kind larger ottoman, or can be split up to stand alone or, with unexpected right angles, fit against corners and other furniture. See more photos of this fun product and Zuzunaga’s other inspired textiles on their website.

COOPER HEWITT

December 12, 2014

After three long years of renovation the new Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum opens today and we couldn’t be more excited! Combining history and technology, the CH allows visitors to immerse themselves in design in a myriad of ways. Their opening exhibitions include a fascinating examination of tools in Extending Our Reach; a study of the fundamentals shifts and changes in design over the past 50 years in Beautiful Users; and a life story through objects in Maira Kalman Selects. The museum will also kick off an amazing season of family and kid programming, including Sunday's “Design Your Own Tool” with Oscar Lopez, sponsored by Target. Can’t make it for the opening weekend? Be sure to check out their gorgeously designed website. We especially love learning about the smart people who are dedicated to design and design history in the “Meet the Staff” section of their excellent blog and exploring the collection with the "Object of the Day."

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum is located at 2 East 91st Street (between 5th and Madison) in New York City. It is open weekdays and Sundays from 10am-6pm, and stays open until 9pm on Saturdays. Admissions is $18 for adults and free for children under 18!

Visiting the Cooper Hewitt this weekend? Tell us all about your experience on Twitter or Instagram @kinderMODERN And stay tuned to the kM blog for more updates on the new CH as we visit and explore it ourselves!

ALCHEMY

December 10, 2014

Science and Design? Yes, please! We’re digging the Alchemist Matter Kit, a new design-forward and very practical take on the traditional chemistry set. This Kickstarter project seeks to guide little scientists ages 5-12 through a gradual experiential learning process in which they discover the chemistry behind everyday household items and unexpected uses for simple materials. The design of each kit encourages experimentation, with its brightly colored “porthole” construction and easy to manipulate containers and tools. The kit is the brainchild of Laurence Humier, an engineer and industrial designer who originally became interested in the chemistry of the everyday through cooking, and since 2011 has presented DIY chemistry workshops in major science and design museums across the globe. Investigate and support the campaign on Humier’s Kickstarter site.

SALÃO COBOI

December 5, 2014

Salão Coboi’s (Apolinário Pereira's) December exhibition at the Parisian gallery Collette, is very fun and a bit cheeky. For this exhibition, the Portugal and Switzerland based sculptor invited visual artists from around the world to contribute illustrations, which he then interpreted into his own unique sculptures. The exhibition also features his series The 9 Worthies, a fascinating contemporary meditation on and juxtaposition of medieval mysticism and twenty-first century fashion. Our personal favorite from the show? Jeremyville - a little guy who adores his skateboard, even when it hurts.

We love hearing about cool exhibits from all over the world. Tell us about your favorite on Instagram or Twitter @kinderMODERN and see it featured on a future blog!

PLAY PLAY

December 3, 2014

We’re loving these “Play Play Pattern 2014” birch plywood modular storage units by South African furniture company DeSteyl. These fun chests come in a variety of sizes, with removable, interchangeable, and reversible drawers, allowing you to create personalized and perfectly functional storage for any residential or commercial space. Best of all, the collection was made in collaboration with Renee Rossouw of RR Studio Pattern Lab, and each unit features one of Rossouw’s exclusive designs. Rossouw’s fierce geometric patterns speak to the New South African Aesthetic, an inclusive term coined by the artist to describe her creative philosophy in which, in her own words, she attempts, “to make work, through research and processes, that is inspired by, and for, South Africa – bold colours, graphic shapes and growing cities. . . . to create a visual identity in my work that is a hybrid of all our cultures.” Be sure to visit her website to see the rest of her product collaborations and print work.

CARDBOARD

December 2, 2014

Jean Louis Arvil, Desk and Chair

Peter Murdoch, Chair Thing

Wallpockets

Cardboard Dad

Frank Gehry, Wiggle Side Chair

Miley Desk

The Shout Chair

Il Posto del Giocchi

My Space

Paperpod

Ambrosia Girl

Cardboard is eco-friendly, light, and surprisingly strong, and has therefore had a recent resurgence in contemporary design. However, this humble material was invented and first used for furniture in the 17th century. The 1960’s and 1970’s were a golden age for cardboard experimentation and design. Architects and designers such as Jean Louis Avril, Peter Murdoch, and Frank Gehry all created cardboard collections now viewed as iconic for their clever, sleek designs and innovative use of material. At kM, we have a particular interest in Avril, who experimented extensively with lacquered cardboard pieces for children, like this desk and chair set.

Some of our favorite contemporary cardboard pieces for the family home include The Shout Chair by Gavin Atkinson; The Miley Cardboard Desk by Naiise; Wallpockets by Ampersand; Enzo Mari’s reissued Il Posto del Ciocho; Liya Mairson’s My Space; and Paperpod.

Looking to get DIY with some cardboard of your own? Check out this sweet playhouse by blogger Ambrosia Girl and get lost in Cardboard Dad’s creations.

Have a favorite cardboard piece? Share with us on Twitter or Instagram! @kinderMODERN

EXPLORATORIUM

November 26, 2014

Going beyond your average children’s museum or science center is San Francisco’s Exploratorium. This one of a kind museum of art and science examines the ways in which humans perceive and interpret the world around them, providing unique educational experiences that challenge and encourage curiosity for children and adults alike. We love the Exploratorium’s enthusiastic dedication to the intersection of art and science, and their encouragement and support of collaborations between artists and scientists. The Exploratorium presented over 40 new art projects in 2015 and continues its renowned cinema arts program. The museum also houses a prestigious artist-in-residence program. Current artists include LA based digital musicians Lucky Dragons, mixed media conceptual artist Nina Katchadourian, and sculptor Zarouhie Abdalian.

The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15 in San Francisco and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Tickets are $29 for adults and $19 for children.

Lefun

November 25, 2014

We’re charmed by MENUT Estudio’s Lefun, a multi-functional storage unit for kids. This sweet elephant friend can be filled with toys and rolled from place to place. Or, with the wheels removed, stacked into multiple configurations for a one-of-a-kind storage unit. Lefun can also be a bedside table, stationary toy box, or even a step stool. Lefun is made from laminated wood and covered in soft wool. MENUT was founded in 2011 by Mario Baldó and Daniel Ortega of Valencia, Spain with an innovative philosophy that strives to bridge the gap between good design for children and good design for adults. Explore all MENUT’s projects on their website.

FARMING KINDERGARTEN

November 24, 2014

Vo Trong Nghia Architects’ “Farming Kindergarten,”located in the outskirts of Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam, creates a bucolic learning space for children inside the sprawling city. The architects’ goal was to build a model for sustainable school design on a budget that goes beyond eco-friendly building choices. In this primary school, city children from rapidly urbanizing Vietnam interact with nature and learn how to grow their own food. The knot-shaped building houses three protected courtyards and a large rooftop vegetable garden. The school serves over 500 children and uses recycled water and low energy, natural methods for heating and cooling, including cross ventilation and solar panels.

Do you know a design-forward kindergarten or primary school? Give us a shout out on Twitter or Instagram @kinderMODERN and we may feature your school in a future blog!

EMILY FLOYD

November 21, 2014

The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia launched a new retrospective today featuring internationally acclaimed, local artist Emily Floyd. Emily Floyd: The Dawn features both key works from the last 15 years and new pieces created especially for the exhibition. Floyd’s text-based and pedagogical sculptures explore an eclectic range of topics and ideologies, but all meditate on the legacies of modernism and its influence on community and education.

If you are lucky enough to be near Melbourne, the NGV has planned a series of excellent programming surrounding the exhibition. The Dawn For Kids invites visitors into two interactive spaces that encourage sculpture making with letters, words, typography, and even a small press, complete with copiers and typewriters. Floyd will also lead a series of workshops for children to explore both her exhibit and the museum beyond.

Emily Floyd: The Dawn is exhibiting at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV, located at Cnr Russel and Flinders Streets in Melbourne, Australia, from November 21, 2014 - March 1, 2015. Open daily 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays. Free admission.

ART IN THE AIR

November 20, 2014

Traveling for Thanksgiving? Don’t forget to take a minute away from the holiday bustle and rush to look around you and be grateful - even if you’re stuck in an airport! In the last decade, as increased airport security has forced travelers to spend more time in the terminals, and more government funds have been allotted for large scale art installations, airports have become thriving centers for public art.

If you’re traveling to the Bay Area, be sure to check out A World of Characters: Advertising Icons from the Warren Dotz Collection at SFO. This diverse collection of advertising mascots from a private collector depicts the history, proliferation, and importance of these characters in 20th century culture. The brightly colored toys will certainly serve as a distraction (even if brief) for fussy little ones and a great start to a discussion about “What is art?” for older children.

Other airports with large-scale art installations include Miami, San Diego, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Be sure to share any airport art you see with us on Instagram and Twitter! @kinderMODERN

WOODIBOW

November 18, 2014

Looking for a cool gift for a creative and animal-loving little one? Spanish company Woodibow has an amazing line of “Mastodonts.” These sustainable wooden puzzle toys come in 4 fun characters, a lazy bear, a playful hippo, a sneaky elephant, and a tame rhino. But what we’re really attracted to is Woodibow’s commitment to high quality, design forward, environmentally friendly toys that challenge both the creative and analytical parts of a child’s developing mind. We also think any of these fun creations would make a whimsical addition to an office or grown-up living space. Who says adults can’t have a little playtime, too?

WOOUF!

November 14, 2014

We’ve had a super busy week at kinder MODERN and we can’t wait for the weekend to get a little rest and relaxation. We love these fun bean bags and poufs by Barcelona brand Woouf! Perfect for lounging around, these bright, pop pieces will bring a little fun to a cozy, autumn afternoon at home. Be sure to browse their entire kids collection and see our personal favorite, the Robot.

Know a cool, design-forward product you’d like to share with us? Tell us on Twitter! @kinderMODERN

SHANTELL MARTIN

November 13, 2014

Shantell Martin’s bold black and white drawings have been inspiring us all year. Martin’s graphic line drawings explore identity, both her own and that of the world around her, while she records her personal experiences as a small part of a larger whole. Her combination of high art and design with the commercial quotidian creates a fanciful dreamscape for play and exploration. Some of our favorite projects include her collaboration with Kelly Wearstler at Wearstler’s flagship boutique in Los Angeles, California, and her work with the MIT Media Lab, which sprung from her series of Printed Circuit Boards, a collaboration with engineer Jonathan Bobrow examining the intersection of technology and art. As a visiting scholar, Martin documented her first week at MIT in an incredible mural entitled “I Am Here” in the Media Lab. Check out a video detailing the process, as well as all of her incredible work, on her website.

ART + DESIGN + LIFE AT THE ALDRICH

November 11, 2014

Image from jasonmiddlebrook.com — Image from jasonmiddlebrook.com

Planning ahead for the weekend? This Saturday, November 15, 2014 is Art + Design + Life for families atThe Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CT. This month’s event showcases artist Jason Middlebrook’s nature inspired work and a pop-up shop by WeR2 in an Airstream trailer featuring functional objects designed and made by artists.

Middlebrook will invite families to create multi-media sculptures alongside him, using natural objects including leaves, mushrooms, and nuts. Starting at 10am until noon, children ages 2-5 are invited to play in the galleries, and visit storytelling and art-making stations. In the afternoon from 1-3pm, older children ages 6-10 are invited into the gallery for games and more art-making. Each of these sessions will include a snack. The WeR2 trailer debut this weekend in conjunction with the event, but will remain open through November 23, 2014.

The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum is located at 258 Main Street in Ridgefield, CT. Hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 12-5pm. Admission is $10 for adults and free for children under 18.