NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

A few of the early models presented in the Aerospace Design installation at Art Institute of Chicago

The Aerospace Technology Enterprise of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Department of Architecture at The Art Institute of Chicago have organized an exhibition entitled Aerospace Design currently showing in the Kisho Kurokawa Gallery of Architecture at the Art Institute of Chicago from August 2, 2003 through February 8, 2004. The exhibit will then travel to museums throughout the United States over the next three years while two photographic variants of the exhibit circulate to airports and other venues. The exhibit was organized to commemorate the centennial of controlled, powered flight marked by the landmark flight of the Wright brothers on December 17, 1903. The exhibition features the architecture and engineering of wind tunnels through over 65 objects from NASA's collection. These include wind tunnel models for aircraft and spacecraft designs, from concepts to flight hardware both past and present, rocket engines, and actual aircraft components.

Transonic Wind Tunnel, NASA's Langley Research Center

The objects within the exhibition date back throughout NASA's history from the early years of NASA's predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). NASA was formed in 1958 at the beginning of the space race with the NACA at its core. NASA has a wealth of seldom exhibited objects and artifacts that not only document the technological advances in flight over the past century but are aesthetically striking as well. Beyond the historic dimension, the exhibition will showcase some of the latest research being done now for aircraft with "morphing wings", "self healing" vehicle "skins" and biologically-inspired sensors - things that will make future air travel virtually accident-free, environmentally-friendly, affordable and accessible to all.

The exhibition installation was designed by Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang/O'Donnell in Chicago. The exhibit's companion volume was published by Merrell Publishers in London. A series of both educational lectures and films at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of The Art Institute of Chicago are planned. The exhibit presents the history of aeronautically engineered forms in relation to architecture and design for both flight in the air and in space. The general public is reminded that aerospace design can be as beautiful as it can be functional.

Special tickets are not required for this exhibition. Enjoy the exhibition during regular museum hours.

Aerospace Technology Enterprise
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