40.7128° N, 74.0060° W
‘New Yorkers cheer you on. They want you to produce good work.’
P<ITAANTONELLI<PAOLA<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
A native of Milan, Paola Antonelli moved to New York for her role as the Senior Curator of Architecture and Design, and Director of R&D at the Museum of Modern Art. She has also taught at the University of California, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and the School of Visual Arts in New York.
Known for her mission to expand the influence of design in everyday life, she accomplishes this goal through her work as a curator, author, lecturer and speaker. She is also passionate about the design of the 747 airplane… Paola let us in on her view of life in New York, her love of New Yorkers and a few exceptional corners to experience in the city.
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On where you’re from
Milan, born in Sassari.
On moving to New York
To take the job at MoMA.
On your relationship with New York
It’s an adult relationship: deep love and strong partnership, eyes wide open, warts and all.
On how New York inspires your work
New Yorkers cheer you on. They want you to produce good work, they are inquisitive, they want to see you succeed!
Above: The exterior of MoMA New York. Below: "Fashion Is Kale: A One-Day Event Celebrating Fashion's Hidden Heroes”, MoMA, New York. Photo: Manuel Martagon.
On something you recently discovered
The First Calvary Cemetery in Queens––at night.
On your role at MoMA
Design is extremely important but under-recognized. I want to help citizens to be more aware of design so that they can develop their own critical sense; so that they can push back if they don’t feel that what is produced and presented to them is good enough, and be more involved.
‘My relationship with New York…it’s an adult relationship: deep love and strong partnership, eyes wide open, warts and all.’
On a favorite piece of travel-related design
The 747. I have dreamt of collecting one for MoMA. I am heartbroken it’s being retired.
On a recent project
I am working on the XXII Triennale di Milano, Broken Nature: Design Takes on Human Survival, which highlights the concept of restorative design and studies the state of the threads that connect humans to their natural environments––some frayed, others altogether severed. It will open on March 1, 2019.
Above: Installation View of the exhibition "Inbox: New Acquisitions 2016,” MoMA, New York. Photo: John Wronn. Below: "A Conversation about Emojis with Rachel Been” , MoMA, New York. Photo: Manuel Martagon.
On creative inspiration
On the subway because I love being surrounded by New Yorkers.
On a favorite restaurant
The good old Odeon.
‘The 747. I have dreamed of collecting one for MoMA. I am heartbroken it’s being retired.’
On a special corner of the MoMA
The Sculpture Garden.
On window seat or aisle
Window.
On New York in one word
Invigorating.
Installation View of the exhibition "Items: Is Fashion Modern?,” MoMA, New York. Photo: Martin Seck
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