Product Description
Portable World documents an exhibition of the same name that was held from October 5, 1973 to January 1, 1974, at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts in New York City. The exhibition examined the transient nature of society that was burgeoning into the new norm in the mid-20th century. As Barbara Bullock, curator of the exhibition notes in the “Portable World” catalog, “People who lead a relatively stable existence are showing a marked inclination for portable possessions. Twenty percent of the population moves each year. This movement and the urban centers require objects with succinct form and function, providing maximum use within the confines of minimum space” With objects including a telescopic umbrella, portable greenhouse, and gas powered pogo stick, this far-out exhibition featured more than 200 items that collapse, unhinge, deflate, stack, roll, or fold for ease in transport. But is it craft? In an October 4, 1973 New York Times article about “Portable World,” museum director Paul J. Smith had this to say, “Machined objects stimulate design thinking among craftsmen who are only involved in hand crafts. Why not have weavers produce sleeping bags on the loom?”
