Bits 'n Pieces Exhibition to debut at Material ConneXion

Global materials consultancy Material ConneXion will premier
Bits 'n Pieces, an interactive traveling exhibition exploring the rapidly advancing technologies and new materials transforming the world of design, at its New York City headquarters at 60 Madison Avenue, from November 4 - December 4, 2009.

Curated by Dutch and Belgian designers Claire Warnier and Dries Verbruggen of UNFOLD, Lucas Maassen, Jan Habraken and Alissia Melka-Teichroew (byAMT), the exhibition will feature work by an international group of designers, architects, computer scientists and material and technology researchers that anticipates the next phase of the digital revolution.

Through objects such as furniture, architecture, jewelry, graphic design and products, by the creative minds of Doug Bucci, Edhv, Jan Habraken, Joris Laarman, Thomas Lommée, MakerBot, Alissia Melka-Teichroew (byAMT), Lucas Maassen, Dries Verbruggen, THEVERYMANY, and UNFOLD, Bits 'n Pieces will examine how design is both conceived and consumed in the post-digital age. Projects like Lucas Maassen and Dries Verbruggen's Brain Wave Sofa, whose shape was entirely determined by recording Maassen's neural activity while thinking of comfort, and MakerBot's open source 3D printer, which enables individuals to turn out complicated 3D forms quickly and affordably, highlight not only what is possible in the realm of manufacturing and design, but also what is to come.

Bits 'n Pieces will also feature Part(s) for display, an installation by THEVERYMANY, which is part contribution to the exhibition and part display for the exhibition itself, and a 3D Forum, developed by IDEO's Jennifer Leonard and Bits 'n Pieces' curators, which allows viewers to reflect on what they are experiencing by answering questions that Leonard poses about the exhibition.  Viewers' written responses are then recorded in real-time through a Conversation Bits notepad (designed by Steve Breman, Alex Timmer, Remon van de Eijnden and Tyche van Eijndhoven) and posted on bitsnpiecesnyc.com.

Over the course of its global journey, which includes stops at Strijp S in Eindoven, Netherlands, and in Genk, Belgium, the Bits 'n Pieces exhibition will mature based on context and content. The show's first component is a permanent collection of objects that travel to each venue and evolve based on feedback given by visitors from location to location, as is appropriate to work inspired by ever-advancing technologies. The second component will feature fresh pieces made by regional designers and introduced at each new venue to present the exhibition from a local perspective.

Exhibition Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 6pm

Nearest Subways: #6 at 28th and Park / NRW at 28th and Broadway