Object Timeline

  • We acquired this object.

2016

2024

  • You found it!

Jacket, The Scarab, from A I R Collection

This is a Jacket. It was designed by TheUnseen and Lauren Bowker.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from TheUnseen as part of Beauty—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.

It is dated 2016. Its medium is leather, heat and wind reactive ink.

Founded by Lauren Bowker in 2012, TheUnseen applies biological and chemical technology to wearable materials, creating pieces that transform the way the world sees fashion. Studying chemistry and textiles at the Manchester School of Art, Bowker developed a color changing ink, which responds to changing environments. This ink was added to this finned leather jacket, putting the piece into a state of flowing metamorphosis as it reacts to heat and wind pressure.

It is credited Courtesy of TheUnseen.

Our curators have highlighted 12 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Vase (USA)
  • mold-blown favrile glass.
  • Bequest of Joseph L. Morris.
  • 1966-55-35
  • Scarab (USA)
  • mold-blown favrile glass.
  • Museum purchase through gift of K.R. Gerry.
  • 1958-51-1
We have 1 video that features Jacket, The Scarab, from A I R Collection.

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Beauty—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/69193897/ |title=Jacket, The Scarab, from A I R Collection |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=26 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>