“Furniture generated by smart algorithms, the world’s first fully functional 3-D printed steel bridge and a 3-D printable Makerchair that can be downloaded from the internet. These are but a few examples of the ingenious oeuvre of designer/inventor Joris Laarman, who works at the intersection of design, art and engineering. Joris Laarman Lab, founded in 2004 with filmmaker and partner Anita Star, employs a team of engineers, programmers and craftspeople to conduct cutting-edge experiments, using manufacturing processes that are often as innovative as the end results.” — Cooper Hewitt
“Since Cooper Hewitt first acquired Joris’s design school thesis project, the Heat Wave Radiator, we have keenly watched him build a body of work that abolishes traditional distinctions between the natural and machine-made, decorative and functional, and points toward an exciting new future for design,” said Cooper Hewitt Director Caroline Baumann. “This exhibition will be a stimulating journey of discovery that will delve deeply into Joris’s conceptual thinking and collaborative approach to design, as well as his embrace of experimentation to fuel his creative process.”

Installation view of “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.” Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

Installation view: “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age”

Joris Laarman Lab; Puzzle Chair, from Makerchair series, 2014; Assembled and adhered 3D-printed abs plastic; H x W x D: 78 × 54 × 65 cm (30 11/16 × 21 1/4 × 25 9/16 in.); Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Installation view of “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.” Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

Installation view of “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.” Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

Installation view of “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.” Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

Joris Laarman Lab; Bone Armchair, 2007; Cast Carrera marble, resin; H x W x D: 74 × 79.2 × 99 cm (29 1/8 in. × 31 3/16 in. × 39 in.); Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Joris Laarman Lab; Bone Chair, 2006; Cast aluminum; H x W x D: 44.5 × 75.6 × 75.9 cm (17 1/2 × 29 3/4 × 29 7/8 in.); Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Installation view of “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.” Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

Joris Laarman Lab; Aluminum Gradient Chair, from Microstructures series, 2014; Laser-sintered aluminum; H x W x D: 77 × 72 × 70 cm (30 5/16 × 28 3/8 × 27 9/16 in.); Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Installation view of “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.” Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

Joris Laarman Lab; (from l to r): Kilovoxel, Megavoxel, and Gigavoxel tables, from Digital Matter series, 2011; Robotically assembled nickel-plated neodymium voxels; H x W x D (each): 55 × 70 × 110 cm (21 5/8 × 27 9/16 × 43 5/16 in.); Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Joris Laarman Lab; Soft Gradient Chair, from Microstructures series, 2014; 3D-printed TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane); H x W x D: 77 × 72 × 70 cm (30 5/16 × 28 3/8 × 27 9/16 in.); Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Installation view of “Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age.” Photo: Matt Flynn © Smithsonian Institution

Joris Laarman Lab; Heatwave Radiator, 2003; Molded polyconcrete, aluminum; H x W x D: 130 × 220 × 10 cm (51 3/16 in. × 7 ft. 2 5/8 in. × 3 15/16 in.); Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Butterfly Screen, 2016; Robotic printed bronze; 195 x 300 x 90 cm; produced by MX3D. Photo courtesy Joris Laarman Lab.

Rendering, MX3D Bridge in the MX3D workshop; Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Rendering, MX3D Bridge location in Amsterdam; Courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.

Joris Laarman; Photo courtesy of Joris Laarman Lab.
Joris Laarman Lab: Design in the Digital Age was organized by the Groninger Museum, the Netherlands. At Cooper Hewitt it is overseen by Assistant Curator of Contemporary Design Andrea Lipps. The exhibition makes its U.S. debut at Cooper Hewitt and will travel to the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
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