From February 10, 2019, a historic Fiat 500 from the F series will be the focus of an exhibition on industrial design at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The special show entitled "The Value of Good Design" will be on display until May 27, 2019.
According to Luca Napolitano, Head of EMEA Fiat and Abarth, the Fiat 500 is an icon of Italian style that has never gone out of fashion and has won fans worldwide over the decades with its strong personality. "Since 1957, the Fiat 500 has brought a lot of color and many smiles to the streets of the world. It has become an ambassador for Italy and an icon of style and design made in Italy."
The historic Fiat 500
The Fiat on display is from the F series, which was produced from 1965 to 1972. The first four model series of the first generation produced a remarkable total of over four million units. The Fiat 500 was a prime example of the development of inexpensive and reliable cars and contributed significantly to the mass motorization of the post-war years.
Known in Italy as the Cinquecento and presented in 1957 with the official model name "Nuova 500", the Fiat 500 is the work of Dante Giacosa. The engineer and designer had been working at Fiat since 1927 and was responsible for some of the brand's milestones.
With its rear-engine layout and four seats despite its ultra-compact body dimensions, the "Nuova 500" was the perfect car for the working class. The characteristic fabric roll-top superficially provided a touch of luxury, but also reduced the amount of steel required for the bodywork during production
With its design and its significance for progress in Italy in the mid-20th century, the Fiat 500 corresponds exactly to the principle on which the industrial design collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art is based.
The exhibition "The Value of Good Design"
Between 1930 and the 1950s, the Museum of Modern Art specifically promoted well-designed and affordable objects for everyday use. This is precisely where the exhibition picks up. In addition to the Fiat 500, furniture, electrical appliances, building ceramics, glass, electronics, means of transportation, sporting goods and toys will also be on display at 53rd Street. The exhibition also explores the question of what good design means today and whether the standards of the last century can be transferred to the new era.
Further information on the exhibition can be found on the MoMA website.
