Vitra Design Museum

In spring 2025, the Vitra Design Museum will present a major exhibition about the unique design culture fostered in the United States by the Shakers. Established in the eighteenth century, this free church community embraced social equality, egalitarianism, and communalism. The design philosophy that sprang from their ideals and the radically simple and functional objects produced in the Shaker community have been critical in shaping modern design, inspiring generations of designers, artists, and architects. In the face of the crises and conflicts that confront us today, the Shakers’ combination of utopianism and pragmatism proves its enduring relevance. Designed by Formafantasma, the exhibition will feature numerous fascinating Shaker objects illuminating their cultural context while a selection of contemporary art and design positions will engage the Shaker legacy in an exciting dialogue.

Image: Elder's Rocking Chair, ca. 1850-70, Vitra Design Museum