The Shakers: A World in the Making aims to both examine the lasting impact of the Shaker legacy
as well as the more unexpected facets of their production ideology and way of life from a
contemporary perspective. Established in the 18th century the Shakers were a free church
that embraced principles of social equality communal property and pacifism viewing labour and
design as expressions of their faith. The Shakers' radically simple functional objects have
had a profound influence on modern design inspiring generations of artists architects and
designers up to the present day. The Shakers: A World in the Making accompanies the eponymous
exhibition - designed by the Milan-based studio Formafantasma - which will showcase a wide
range of Shaker furniture architecture tools and commercial goods. Works by contemporary
artists and designers enter in dialogue with the historic exhibits reflecting on the Shakers'
enduring relevance. The publication includes a rich array of thematic essays contextualizing
the Shakers within the wider design architecture and art canon detailed studies of selected
exhibits as well as personal contributions by the participating artist. Contemporary object and
architectural photography offers a fresh perspective on one of the most compelling communal
experiments of recent centuries. With contributions by Glenn Adamson Aaron Betsky Jeffrey
de Blois Amie Cunat David Hartt Chris L. Halstrøm Mea Hoffmann Christien Meindertsma
Sarah Margolis-Pineo Kameelah Janan Rasheed Shoshana Resnikoff and others.
