MoMA Sky Stick Umbrella

In 1992 the MoMA Design Store introduced 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. New York’s Museum of Modern Art is known for its extraordinary exhibitions and for presenting the world’s finest collection of modern and contemporary art. In 1932, MoMA was the first art museum to establish a curatorial department dedicated to Architecture & Design, and by mid-century, it was playing a leading role in defining and promoting the values of “Good Design.” As an extension of the Museum’s educational mission, the MoMA Design Store exemplifies good design with a well-edited selection of products highlighting the latest in materials, production, and design concepts from around the world.