Murray Moss – founder and co-owner of Moss, New York – has curated a varied and “quiet” exhibition unveiling and exploring 3D printing techniques and their place in our industrial landscape.

These fascinating objects, created in one piece using digital techniques, sit alongside some of the oldest and most significant art and design in the world. This is a purposeful juxtaposition, moving away from presenting these pieces in a single space.

Patrick Jouin ’One_Shot.MGX’

“One of the reasons I wanted to present [the exhibition] quietly, as opposed to saying ’Welcome to the world of 3D printing’, was that I wanted people to be somewhat taken aback by the fact we’re not making a big deal about it,” Moss tells us. “I wanted to almost, without being rude, suggest to people: ’Well, where have you been?’.”

Throughout the V&A, these stark pieces – from an angel-like winged garment to an augmented replica bust of Lady Belhaven – are in conversation with the historical pieces around them.

“That’s what I think the purpose of museums is; to inspire, challenge, redirect and question. You should go through a museum questioning your whole life. That would be a good museum.”

Naim Josefi ’Melonia’

Although, as Moss explains, 3D printing is something we should all be familiar with, the show also features exciting developments such as the new ’One_Shot.MGX’ stool – which emerges from the printing machine complete with moving mechanical parts.

“I want [the exhibition] to guide and prepare people, so when they go to the car showroom and the guy asks ’Would you like your vehicle customised?’, they’ll know more than the sales guy.”

Thomas Duval ’BLOOM’

Top image: Iris Van Herpen Couture Escapism Dress

Moss’ exhibition is on until 25 September 2011 at the V&A Museum.

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