New York Design Week returns, spanning from May 16 to May 23, loaded with an array of shows, talks, and exhibitions. If you find yourself a bit lost or uncertain about which events to dive into, here’s your essential guide to ten must-attend happenings you won’t want to skip.
ICFF
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair is central to Design Week, bringing together more than 450 furniture exhibitors. This year marks its 35th anniversary, and the fair will highlight a special design showcase from the WANTED platform, dedicated to spotlighting and promoting the works of both students and international independent designers.
Day(s) and times: May 19-May 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: Javits Center, 429 11th Ave, New York City, 10001
Acquired! Shaping the National Design Collection Exhibition + Panel Discussion
Cooper Hewitt’s latest exhibition showcases over 150 objects added to its permanent collection since 2017. In the accompanying panel discussion, curators will delve into the essence of contemporary design and explore how institutional collections can mirror and represent cultural values.
Day(s) and times: May 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
Location: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, 2 E 91st St, New York City, 10128
Parsons School of Design Experiential Exhibition: How Do You Feel New York?
This exhibition by the Parsons School of Design will feature a variety of installations, each delving into different themes. Each features an idea and designs inspired by the question, “How do you feel, New York?” A series of videos, photographs, and soundscapes will transport guests in a multisensory experience.
Day(s) and times: May 20-22, 12-7 p.m.
Location: 99 SCOTT STUDIOS, 99 Scott Ave, Brooklyn, 11237
Made in Italy NYC
The two-day event, organized by SEA in partnership with Pentagram, will celebrate the graphic design movements in Italy and America post-World War II, from the 1950s to the 1980s. This exhibition will dive deep into the artistic ties between these two nations during that period. It will feature original artworks from icons like Massimo Vignelli, Heinz Waibl, and Walter Ballmer—some of which have never been shown outside of Italy. An exclusive book on this topic will also be launched alongside the exhibition.
Day(s) and times: May 22-May 23, 12-8 p.m.
Location: One Art Space, 23 Warren St, New York City, 10007
Ase: Afro Frequencies
A meditative cultural celebration will be featured in this immersive exhibition. Grounded by aṣẹ—a powerful belief that is held by the Yoruba people of West Africa, and means ‘so will it be’—the work tells the story of resilience and possibility. It will feature digital projections by London-based Afro-surrealist artist Vince Fraser and poetry by Ursula Rucker.
Day(s) and times: March 22-September 9
Location: Artechouse, 439 W 15th St, New York City, 10011
Tuleste Factory Presents: Chromatic Stance
The Factory, an art and design gallery in New York, will showcase a curated exhibition presenting a range of diverse artworks. The collection will include everything from paintings to sculptures, lighting works, and sofas. The works are divided thematically by rooms, and guide the audience on what is described as a “trippy, colorful journey.”
Day(s) and times: May 15, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location: Tuleste Factory, 191 7TH AVENUE 2R, New York City, 10011
Supercharging Creativity & Design With AI
This panel, centered on the creative and professional potentials of artificial intelligence within the design realm, should capture the attention of many professionals. It is presented in partnership with Adobe and will bring together leaders in various sectors to discuss the ethics of AI, best practices, and the most helpful tools.
Day(s) and times: May 16, 4-5:30 p.m.
Location: Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Cir, New York City, NY 10019
OBJECTS ARE BY X Lukas Bentel (MSCHF) at Gotham NY
OBJECTS ARE BY is described as a “new-future conscious homeware brand” focused on lower-impact methods of production. Making its debut last month at the Salone Del Mobile in Milan, the brand is now unveiling a partnership with Lukas Bentel, cofounder of the art group MSCHF. The collaboration has yielded a collection of Jacquard woven tapestries, drawing inspiration from Bentel’s childhood years in NYC.
Day(s) and times: May 17-June 9, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Gotham, 3 E 3rd St, New York City, 10003
5th Annual Head Hi Lamp Show
Lamps shaped like eggs, cacti, popcorn buckets, and mushroom creatures will highlight this wacky art installation. Showcased by Head Hi, the exhibition features lamps created with and shaped into all manner of things.
Day(s) and times: May 17-19, 12-5 p.m.
Location: 102 Franklin, 102 Franklin St, 3rd Fl, New York City, 10013
Design Dysphoria
This exhibition features work from established and up-and-coming queer designers and aims to examine the importance of creative spaces from the queer community in the design world. It spans an array of media creation, including glass lighting fixtures, textile artwork, furniture, and interactive design objects by a majority of women, nonbinary, and transgender artists.
Day(s) and times: May 18-25, 12-6 p.m.
Location: Studio S II Suite 401, 53 Scott Ave. Suite 401, Brooklyn, 11237
