Automania – Hardcover

Drawing on the wealth of automobile-related design, art, and architecture in the collection of The Museum of Modern Art, Automania takes an in-depth look at an industrial object that changed the world. From its first appearance as a plaything for the rich in the 1890s to its establishment as a utilitarian necessity of modern life, the car has transformed the ways in which we live, work, and enjoy ourselves, inspiring countless designers and artists working in varied media. Some have viewed the automobile as the ultimate expression of technological progress, capable of bringing about widespread economic growth and positive societal change. Others have seen it as the enemy of humanistic values, leading only to rising fatalities and the proliferation of hazardous waste and pollution. But all have recognized it as central to contemporary life, design, and culture. Automania traces the rich cultural history of the car while giving pride of place to the ten vehicles in MoMA’s collection, which mark pivotal moments in the history of automotive design. 112 pp.; 100 illus.