Poetry in Motion

Howard Halle -- Interior Design, 1/1/2006 12:00:00 AM

Given a global culture in which people, ideas, and capital circulate with complete disregard for geographic boundaries, an exhibition devoted to portable design seems especially apropos. But as "Living In Motion: Design and Architecture for Flexible Dwelling" at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art demonstrates, mobility and adaptability are nothing new. "These ideas are, in fact, ancient," says associate curator Bennett Simpson. To illustrate his point, the show presents such disparate inventions and objects as a Kyrgyzstani yurt; the Pro/Con package housing system, which Jones, Partners: Architecture cobbled together from shipping containers; and contributions by icons Marcel Breuer, Isamu Noguchi, Charles and Ray Eames, and Philippe Starck.

True to form, the show itself also travels. It originated at Germany's Vitra Design Museum, and Boston is the only stop in the U.S. February 1–May 7; 617-266-5152; icaboston.org.