Tags | Collection of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

We have 19 objects tagged transformation.

Print, Plate 3, from Diverses pièces de serruriers (Various Designs for Locksmiths)

Print, Plate 3, from Diverses pièces de serruriers (Various Designs for...
engraving on laid paper.
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council.
1921-6-486-4

This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Probation Resource Hubs

Probation Resource Hubs
USA.038

There are 6 images and 1 video of this object.

Diadema Reurbanization

Diadema Reurbanization
CITIES.014

There are 6 images of this object.

Shack/Slum Dwellers International

Shack/Slum Dwellers International
CITIES.050

There are 4 images of this object.

OPEN HOUSE
USA.034

There are 6 images of this object.

Two of Hearts playing card from a deck of transformation cards in which the various suit symbols (e.g. hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds) are integrated into image on the card in such a way as to “transform” the symbols into other objects. In this case, the heart at the top of the card becomes part of the soldier’s headgear, and the heart at the bottom becomes part of the soldier’s satchel. The figure and details of the scene are drawn in unremarkable brown (against a plain light background) whereas in contrast, the hearts are bright red. Thus the hearts are simultaneously incorporated into the drawing yet remain distinct. The soldier faces viewer’s left. He is lifting a half-filled glass in his right hand while his left hand rests on a table where a bottle sits. He appears to be appraising the quality of the beverage by holding it at eye level (or he could be raising a toast.) The soldier’s visage (with thick upturned mustache and full goatee) and his uniform suggest the time period could be the 1800’s. His military uniform includes a tall, cylindrical-shaped possibly fur headdress (a busby) with a pompom on the front top. His jacket is short-waisted and tight fitting with a central row of 6 buttons running vertically, between 7 horizontal bands running across the chest. Each band has buttons on both ends. (Imagine a vest with horizontal stripes across the chest a row of buttons in the center and buttons along either side of the rib cage.) His waist is very narrow, emphasized by more closely spaced horizontal bands which resemble a cummerbund (sash around the waist.) Two elongated chevrons are visible rising from the cuff of his left sleeve. The jacket collar stands upright and circles the neck. His pants are tight fitting, showing his kneecap and calf muscles. At the waist, where one might ordinarily have pockets, these pants have decorative swirl embellishments. The pants fit into calf high boots with spurs. From the left side of his waist, a satchel/pouch (sabretache) suspended by three long straps hangs down to his ankle. (Since his pants have no visible pockets, a pouch would probably be useful!) His sword/saber hangs in front of the pouch.

Playing Card, Two of Hearts, late 19th century
lithograph on paper.
Gift of Mrs. Dexter J. Purinton.
1955-78-14-12

This object was made by B.P. Grimaud.
This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Playing Card, Three of Spades, late 19th century
lithograph on paper.
Gift of Mrs. Dexter J. Purinton.
1955-78-14-3

This object was made by B.P. Grimaud.
This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Four of Diamonds playing card from a pack of transformation playing cards in which the various suit symbols e.g. hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds (”pips”) are overlaid on the image on the face of the card in such a way as to “transform” or merge the pips into elements of the image This lithograph printed card has a line drawing of two mustachioed male figures in military garb facing each other in what seems to be a collegial pose. The figure on the right has his hands on the shoulders of the figure on the left who carries a bottle. They seem to be engaged in conversation, the left one talking, the right one smiling. (He’s holding the bottle after all!) The men wear long coats (to their ankles) cinched in the back with a small “half belt.” The man with the bottle has chevrons and an epaulet on the visible sleeve. His companion has some form of diagonal stripe on the wrist and a fancy epaulet (with hanging trim) on his visible sleeve. The figures wear tall, cylindrical soldier’s hats: the one on the left has a visor brim and an upright, badge/medal/plume rising from the center edge; the hat on the right figure has a square envelope shape with a tassel dangling on the side. The men wear buttoned spats (spatter guards) over their shoes (from instep to ankles.) The humorous line drawing is printed in brown ink on cream colored background. In contrast, the diamonds are striking bright red and appear stamped over the drawing - positioned at the four corners: one diamond on each tall hat, and one diamond each over the men’s ankle/spats. The red is not opaque and the lines defining the hats and spats are visible through the diamond shape. However, because the vibrancy of the red contrasts so markedly with the monochromatic drawing, the four diamonds dominate the image (desireable if you using this as a playing card!) The card has rounded corners and shows some discoloration.

Object ID #18405293
lithograph on paper.
Gift of Mrs. Dexter J. Purinton.
1955-78-14-24

This object was made by B.P. Grimaud.
This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Playing Card, Five of Diamonds, late 19th century
lithograph on paper.
Gift of Mrs. Dexter J. Purinton.
1955-78-14-25

This object was made by B.P. Grimaud.
This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Six of Clubs playing card from a pack of transformation playing cards in which the various suit symbols e.g. hearts, spades, clubs, diamonds ('pips)' are overlaid on the image on the face of the card in such a way as to 'transform' or merge the pips into elements of the image. This lithograph printed card has a line drawing of a female figure in a floor length ornately embroidered period dress (circa late 18th century?) The dress has a low cut bodice going from shoulder to shoulder with crisscrossing stays tied in the front (like laces of sneakers) and a peplum flair at the waist. The effect is to both emphasize her bosom and minimize her waist. She has a pensive, demure demeaner however, and her dress has gauzy 'modesty' fabric from the top of her bosom that is gathered into a high neck where she wears a cross. Her sleeves are bell shaped and have a jaunty ribbon tied at the top of the visible shoulder. The bottom of hte dress is bell shaped as if she wore several crinolines. The fabric resembles brocade with a swirling leaf like pattern. She wears an apron-like cloth over the dress from her waist to about her knee. One dainty foot protrudes beyond the hemline. Her hair is obscured by a spade, but there is some hair ornament extending out what would be several inches on either side of her head. It resembles a stick with a ring at each end. She holds a watering can in her left hand (viewer right) apparently tending to her potted plants. Just below the watering can a leafy plant sits in a pot/vase that has an ogee type shape (like a stretched out 'S' on each side) on a pedestal base. On her right side (viewer left) she is tending a plant that resembles a flowering rose with several additional unopened blossoms. It rises from a pot that has an amphora shape with handles on each side shaped like a rectangular 'S' This pot sits on a base that looks a upside down scalloped cachepot (what you would normally put plants in!) At the top right there is a chandelier with four candles and a long downward protrusion from the middle made up of several bulbous shapes. The imagery is printed in brown ink on cream colored paper. The six spade shapes are solid black and appear as if they were block printed over the image. The are positioned as in typical playing cards: two at the top corners facing up, two in the middle facing down and two at the bottom corners facing down. The upper left spade is overlaid on the figure's hair suggesting a 'fascinator' hat. The upper right spade is overlaid on the center of the chandelier (as if it had some structural purpose to support the candles.) In the middle the left spade is overlaid on the central stem of the 'rose' plant (mimicing how the flowers spread from the center stem.) In the middle right, the spade faces is overlaid on the watering can, fititng within its borders as if it were a decoration on the can. At the bottom left, the spade is overlaid on the upturned cache pot as if it were a decorative element. And at the lower right the spade is overlaid on the vase fitting within its borders as if it were a decoration. The artist was very skillful in incorporating the spade symbols as design elements on this image. In this card, the complexity and delicacy of the details of the figure's dress, her lovely face, the flowers and pots, although rendered in monochrome brown, seem to balance the striking black shapes of the spades. While it is clearly a playing card, the figure does hold one's attention.

Playing Card, Six of Clubs, late 19th century
lithograph on paper.
Gift of Mrs. Dexter J. Purinton.
1955-78-14-36

This object was made by B.P. Grimaud.
This object is part of the Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design collection.

Plank Furniture

Plank Furniture
olive, ash, metal.
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.04

This object was made by Benchmark Furniture.
There are 4 images of this object.

Rolling Bridge
painted mild steel, stainless steel cable, wood, aluminum.
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.12

There are 11 images of this object.

Large Span Rolling Bridge (not Yet Realized)

Large Span Rolling Bridge (not Yet Realized)
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.26

There are 3 images of this object.

Jiading Bridge (unbuilt)

Jiading Bridge (unbuilt)
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.31

There are 3 images of this object.

Olympic Cauldron

Olympic Cauldron
polished sheet copper, stainless steel.
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.32

Expanding Furniture

Expanding Furniture
aluminum (table); acrylic (bowl).
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.34

There are 8 images of this object.

Pacific Place
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.37

There are 10 images of this object.

UK Pavilion
acrylic rods, seeds, plywood, aluminum, rubber, fiber optics, artificial turf.
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.39

There are 6 images of this object.

Zip Bags
zipper, leather, textile.
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio.
HSP.09

There are 8 images of this object.