New MOMA exhibit showcases devices to help people interact

Zoomer | October 27th, 2011

A new exhibit at the MOMA is bringing design and accessibility together in a new way.

The exhibit, which runs until November 7th, is designed to appeal to the more casual crowd as well as the museum aficionado. Appealing to the practical side of things, the pieces include a hard drive that stands up when it senses liquid, a graffiti tool that allows a paralyzed artist to paint using eye movements, and bacteria that can identify illnesses by turning bodily waste different colors.

Religious items such as a ticker tape called The Prayer Companion Scroll allow nuns to pray for the latest disasters, while an Islamic prayer rug lights up when its user is facing Mecca.

There is even a piece called The Biological Clock which lets women input their health, financial and relationship information to determine the best time to have a child.

The exhibit has attracted passers by who had no intention of visiting it, purely for its hands on, useful and unique design. The pieces are not just to be consumed, but meant to spark a conversation. It is the first exhibit to use QR codes which take users to a webpage about the piece. There is also an audio guide as well as a blog for those who can’t see the exhibit in person.

Additional source: Reuters

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