The Museum of Modern Art will present Pirouette: Turning Points in Design, an exhibition exploring how design has driven change throughout history. On view from January 26 to October 18, 2025, the exhibition will feature over 100 objects from MoMA's collection, ranging from the 1930s to the present.

Design has the power to transform behaviors, challenge conventions, and inspire innovation. This exhibition showcases a diverse array of objects—ranging from furniture and electronics to information design and symbols—that have shaped the world in significant ways. Iconic works like the Apple Macintosh 128K and the Sony Walkman will be displayed alongside lesser known yet influential pieces, such as Tejo Remy's "You Can't Lay Down Your Memory" Chest of Drawers and Sabine Marcelis's Candy Cube.

Among the objects on display is the BIC Cristal Pen, a simple yet revolutionary design that has become a global staple. Its invention changed the way people write, offering an affordable, reliable pen that remains a key tool in daily life. The pen exemplifies how even the most functional objects can redefine industries and impact the daily lives of millions.

Objects included in the Pirouette exhibition demonstrate how designers have utilized experimentation, imagination, rigorous research, and sometimes playfulness to shape and redefine human behaviors and experiences. Items like the Apple Macintosh 128K (1983), the Sony Walkman (1979), Art Fry and Spencer Silver’s Post-it Note (1977), or Sara Blakely’s Spanx (2000), began as revolutionary experiments, achieved wide distribution, and went on to redefine the way we live.

Organized by Paola Antonelli and Maya Ellerkmann, Pirouette emphasizes design’s role in shaping human experiences and fostering progress. Learn more about the exhibit on the MoMA website here.