Memoria: An Exhibition Exploring Collaborative Design and Object Reinterpretation

Memoria is a collaborative pedagogical project between the Escuela de Arte 12 Diseño Industrial and the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas. The project challenges students to reinterpret historical objects from the museum's collection to design new contemporary pieces that respond to current needs, fostering a dialogue between past and present in design.

The 'Memoria' project is a collaborative initiative between the Escuela de Arte 12 Diseño Industrial and the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas, aimed at using the museum's collection as a source of inspiration for contemporary design. Launched during the 2009-2010 academic year, the project's essence lies in students reinterpreting selected historical objects from the museum's holdings to conceptualize and design new items that address current needs. This process involves a deep understanding of the original object's qualities and characteristics to forge a new discourse or narrative. The resulting designs not only contemplate a formal or functional update of the inspiring object but also embrace any conceptualization that students propose based on their research and the museum's insights. The project has seen multiple editions, showcasing student reinterpretations of significant pieces such as the 'Papelera / escritorio de Felipe V' (18th century) and the 'Silla plegable de brazos' (16th century). These student works are presented as part of the exhibition, highlighting the creative potential found within museum collections and the capacity of design education to foster innovation by engaging with heritage. The first edition, for the 2009-2010 course, focused on the 'Papelera / escritorio de Felipe V', a significant piece from the 18th-century furniture collection, notable for its decorative programs and its status as one of the last examples of its typology. Thirteen projects were developed for this inspiring object. The second edition, during the 2010-2011 course, centered on a 16th-century folding chair. This low chair, intended for intimate settings, provided a rich context for students to explore 16th-century social customs, materials, manufacturing techniques, and aesthetic values. Eighteen projects were presented for this edition. The exhibition credits acknowledge the coordination, texts, design, and production efforts from both the school and museum teams.

This page describes a collaborative educational project and exhibition. Specific ticketing information for the 'Memoria' exhibition is not detailed here. Visitors should refer to the Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas for current admission and visiting hours details. Information sessions were held at the museum for participants in the project.