The fascinating story of aluminum’s integral role in 20th-century design was chronicled in the exhibition Aluminum by Design: Jewelry to Jets, on view at Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, in 2001. This was the first major exhibition to explore the impact of a metal that profoundly influenced life in the 20th century. Its wide-ranging uses and unique properties are unmatched by any other modern material, and a rich and varied selection of objects was gathered from museums and private collections around the world.
The installation at Cooper-Hewitt was designed by Morris Sato Studio of New York. The exhibit’s architectural settings showcased the fabrication techniques, production systems, and material configurations specific to aluminum. Aluminum honeycomb composites from Paneltec Corporation were featured in the installation, contributing to some stunning optical effects.
We at Paneltec are proud of our participation in this landmark exhibition.
Aluminum by Design: Jewelry to Jets was organized by Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, and made possible by the generous sponsorship of the Alcoa Foundation.
Audi car frame. Platform by Paneltec.
Photo credit: Michael Moran
