Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

You’d think the flow of the place would be better designed. I understand the natural constraints of the historic mansion the museum is housed in, but I couldn’t figure out what order I was supposed to be looking at exhibits in within each gallery.

Nice exhibit in the yard on ecological innovations in third world countries, though.

I just went for the first time. I went to see a Rococo design exhibit and while I was there I saw Campana Brothers Select: Works from the Permanent Collection (a small exhibit in one gallery) and some Art Nouveau which was in a few galleries. I was pleased with the exhibits, especially the Rococo exhibit. As I walked through the galleries I also admired the architecture of the mansion (the museum was the residence of Andrew Carnegie). I’m always amazed by these NYC mansions. They also have a beautiful lawn with tables set up where you can order drinks. Over the summer beginning July 11, free cocktails will be served on the lawn with museum admission every Friday. That’s something to keep in mind.

There were a couple things I was a little disappointed with. I thought it was expensive for a small museum. It’s $15 for adults and $10 for students, and they never offer voluntary contribution. Most NY museums offer that once a week, aside from the Met which is always voluntary. I won’t hold that against them though, because I’m sure they really need the support. I just won’t make a frequent visits.

The other disappointment was that they don’t exhibit their permanent collection unless it’s part of a special exhibition like the Campana Brothers exhibit, which was a show of permanent collection pieces selected by these Brazilian brothers who are known for collaborating on artwork.

Before I made my visit to the Cooper-Hewitt, I visited their website and read all about their prized Michelangelo Drawing which is only one of eight in the U.S. There’s even a video on their site with the museum director boasting about it. I was really looking forward to seeing it after learning so much about it on the website, only to be let down. I asked someone at the information desk about it, and she just said it’s part of the permanent collection and not on view. I came home, looked at the website and read further. It turns out it’s available to be viewed in their study center by appointment.

While the National Design Museum doesn’t have the star power of its neighbors on Museum Mile, it’s a really great museum to see good quality exhibits on modern design. I’ve seen exhibits on varied topics like aluminum in industrial design, the guy who designed the Studebaker, a jewelry artist from Scandinavia and a completely fascinating exhibit on wallpaper, of all things. It’s a good, quiet museum, and Smithsonian Members get a discount!