Sky Umbrella by MoMA

Pure brolly joy, this one.

In 1992 the MoMA the Sky Umbrella by legendary graphic designer Tibor Kalman and Emanuela Frattini Magnusson. The umbrella's exterior gives away nothing more than a plain, black canopy and a simple wooden handle. Once opened, the interior reveals a cheerful blue sky dotted with fluffy, white clouds. The umbrella's surprising blue-sky interior echoes the playful career of Kalman, whose work is featured in the Museum's collection. Kalman once again used the visual motif of the Sky Umbrella in a 1995 issue of Colors, an award-winning global magazine where Kalman served as the founding editor-in-chief. Made of sturdy nylon covering the photo-process-printed sky on polyester with a durable wooden shaft and handle with a manual open/close mechanism.

• Designer: Tibor Kalman and Emanuela Frattini Magnusson
• Full-Size: 35l x 38"d
  
• Materials: Nylon, Plywood, Wood
• Year of Design: 1992

Tibor Kalman founded the legendary, multidisciplinary design firm M&Co in 1979. In collaboration with his wife Maira, the conceptually progressive firm initially created graphics, magazines and film titles, and books. Following the release of a record album cover for the Talking Heads, M&Co gained major attention for "pushing the envelope" on conventions of design and typography, and went on to become a major influence on emerging designers. The Kalman's social concerns and reactions to contemporary attitudes resulted in products that are enjoyed internationally as they address contemporary issues. Their products, which combine wit and whimsy with good graphic design, helped ignite the current demand for designer-created products.