A World in the Making: The Shakers

A WORLD IN THE MAKING: THE SHAKERS

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A World in the Making: The Shakers explores the design legacy of the Shakers, a religious group whose values of community, labor, and equality shaped their furniture, architecture, and everyday objects. Through works by contemporary artists influenced by the Shakers, alongside original Shaker-made pieces, the exhibition considers how their design principles remain relevant today.

Founded in 18th-century England and later established in the U.S. across more than twenty distinct communities, from Kentucky to Maine, Shaker communities developed a distinctive visual language—marked by simplicity, innovation, and purpose. While often celebrated for their aesthetic, Shaker designs were rooted in spiritual practice and collective life.

By pairing historical artifacts with newly commissioned works, the exhibition invites reflection on how Shaker ideals continue to inform conversations around inclusion, gender, and intentional living in the 21st century.

This exhibition was organized by the Vitra Design Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art Philadelphia, and the Wüstenrot Foundation in collaboration with Shaker Museum.

A review of the exhibit and pictures can be found at https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-institute-contemporary-art-shakers/

“A World in the Making” shows Shaker chairs adapted for rocking and swiveling. The “revolver” chair at far left has a base efficiently adapted from a candle stand. Credit...Caroline Gutman for The New York Times