Instagram story viewer> @wolfsonian> Posts

The Wolfsonian–FIU

@wolfsonian

17.2K

followers

705

following

A museum exploring the inventive and provocative character of the modern world

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

How did a curious drink created in Atlanta in 1886 become one of the most recognizable brands in the world?

For the next installment of our “Made in USA” series, we’re taking a closer look at Coca-Cola through a surprising discovery in our collection.

While doing some research in our library, we found these educational booklets from the 1940s titled, “Our America.”

They were distributed to teachers during the Second World War—along with posters and other materials—to help classrooms at a time when resources were being diverted to the war effort overseas.

Through vivid illustrations and interactive cut-and-paste activities, students explored American industries: from steel manufacturing and glassmaking to electricity and motion pictures.

And who was behind all this? Coca-Cola!

From its earliest days, Coca-Cola understood the art of mass marketing, connecting its name and imagery to nearly every aspect of American life.

But what makes these booklets so unique is that none of the images feature Coca-Cola at all.

Instead, the company provided genuinely useful educational materials. The booklets are filled with beautifully illustrated lessons, some so detailed and colorful that it’s easy to get lost in the little worlds they depict.

Today, they offer a colorful window into 1940s America, celebrating the spirit behind everything from the glass in our windows to the movies on our screens.

By teaching young Americans about the industries shaping their country, Coca-Cola was also making itself part of the American story.

#MadeinUSA #Wolfsonian taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

45

0

16 hours ago

With special behind-the-scenes access and under the close supervision of our library team, Nathaniel Sandler—founder of Miami’s beloved free bookstore, Bookleggers Library—got a rare, once-in-a-lifetime chance to carefully assemble an original 1900 Paris World’s Fair puzzle.

Putting it together under expert care reveals what a display case can’t: how it worked as a souvenir and how a visitor over a century ago may have experienced it. As an educational institution stewarding one of the largest university collections of modern material culture, creating these rare opportunities to understand objects in context is central to our mission.

Nathaniel shares that same passion for unearthing stories that might otherwise stay hidden in the archives. This Friday, he brings that curiosity back for our popular “Into the Stacks” series and another one-night-only close look at the collection.

No, you won’t be assembling a 19th-century puzzle yourself—but you will get an unusually close look at rarely seen objects from the collection, including telephones, radios, and other tools that helped people share news, tell stories, and stay connected.

Tickets are going fast! Link in bio 🤓 taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

274

5

13 days ago

Artist Leo John Meissner’s 1934 linocut print, “Future New York,” depicts the city as a concrete jungle packed with buildings, vehicles, and pedestrians.

Nearly a century later, its exaggerated metropolis feels surprisingly familiar. Perhaps, in some ways, Meissner’s vision came true. It’s fascinating to imagine what people in 1934 thought the future might hold, and all that New York—and the world around it—would experience over the next century.

#Wolfsonian Collection, Gift of #MickyWolfson
🖼️ Linocut print, “Future New York,” c. 1934. Leo John Meissner, artist.

#objectoftheweek taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

142

5

18 days ago

Extraordinary seating for an extraordinary venue!

These theater seats were designed by Art Nouveau master Hector Guimard for the Salle Humbert de Romans in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. The striking building was demolished shortly after completion, and only a few remnants—like these seats—survive today.

Imagine going to see a show and not realizing the true masterpiece was the chair beneath you! They really don’t make them like they used to. 🌿✨

We have another incredible object designed by Guimard on view in our 2nd-floor galleries right now: a cast-iron balustrade that inspired new contemporary work by artist Liene Bosquê.

Catch Bosquê’s show on its final day—today—before the balustrade returns to storage!

#Wolfsonian Collection, Gift of #MickyWolfson
🪑 Theater chairs from the Salle Humbert de Romans, Paris, 1897–1901. Hector Guimard, designer.

#hectorguimard #artnoveau taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

146

4

23 days ago

What is a cyanotype? Besides a funny word. ☀️💙

Artist Liene Bosquê, who developed the project during her time as a Wolfsonian Creative Fellow, describes the process, accompanied by animation from our social media intern and animation wizard Sophia Monteiro—with a surprise guest appearance by Art Nouveau master Hector Guimard. See if you can spot him! 👀

The finished cyanotypes are on view in “What Still Stands” on the second floor.

It’s your final weekend to see the installation before it closes this Sunday, September 6!

📍 The Wolfsonian–FIU
1001 Washington Ave, Miami Beach

🕙 Wed–Sun: 10am–6pm | Fri: 10am–9pm

#wolfsonian #cyanotype #hectorguimard taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

137

3

25 days ago

Ever wonder how books in exhibitions look like they’re magically floating in mid-air? ✨🪄

It’s all in the acrylic mount—and our preparator came up with a clever way to improve the process.

Instead of starting from scratch, they modified an existing machine in our workshop to custom-shape mounts faster and more precisely.

A true behind-the-scenes #MuseumHack! 🛠️📚

#wolfsonian #museumgram taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

200

11

a month ago

For the past decade, Zines for Progress (Z4P) has introduced Miami-Dade high school students to the practice of zine-making, giving them a creative platform to explore and express their ideas.

Drawing inspiration from The Wolfsonian–FIU collection, students investigate how design communicates meaning before creating original publications that respond to contemporary issues through research, visual storytelling, and critical thinking.

Since its inception, the program has engaged more than 2,500 students across 100 classrooms, resulting in 1,012 original zines that explore topics ranging from mental health and identity to the challenges shaping everyday life.

Ten years on, Zines for Progress continues to demonstrate how design remains a powerful medium for observation, dialogue, and civic expression.

#backtoschool #wolfsonian #zines taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

148

2

2 months ago

From conversations with artists and curators to hands-on workshops, film screenings, family days, and after-hours gatherings—there’s always something happening at The Wolfsonian–FIU.

Explore upcoming public programs and plan your next visit through our events calendar. [Link in bio!]

Members enjoy exclusive programs, early access, and special discounts throughout the year.

#wolfsonian #miamibeachevents #fiu taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

292

5

2 months ago

Give me a color that starts with letter M. 💙

All works from the collection of The Wolfsonian–FIU.

#Mlue #Wolfsonian #hopecore taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

971

11

2 months ago

Before the GIF, mechanical postcards used paper wheels to animate images—proof our love for looping visuals predates the internet! 🤓💌✨

From century-old ephemera to iconic Ferragamo designs, discover the many ways footwear shaped the 20th century in “Foot Notes: Shoes, Symbolism, and Society,” now open on the 7th floor! 👠👞

Visit Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm (extended hours Friday until 9pm). Admission is free for Florida residents!

#Wolfsonian Collection, Gift of Silvia Ripstein
💌 Mechanical postcard with comic café scene, c. 1910. Color lithograph on cardstock with movable paper mechanism.

#footnotes #thingstodomiami #objectoftheweek taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

142

1

2 months ago

For centuries, chair design focused on intricate decoration and complex craftsmanship to project status. Even the phrase “the seat of authority” is a metaphor we use to show how furniture historically signaled power.

After the First World War, however, a new mindset emerged: an object’s beauty should come directly from its function, and every part of daily life was seen as worthy of good design.

Modern movements replaced elaborate ornamentation with clean geometry.

And innovative materials, like bent plywood, completely transformed how furniture was designed and valued.

A chair’s significance no longer depended solely on costly materials or labor-intensive flourishes. Its value could also lie in the strength and originality of the design itself.

You can see this evolution unfold inside our exhibition “Modern Design Across Borders,” which closes this weekend.

The journey begins with Alvar Aalto’s iconic Paimio Chair and ends with the bold, contemporary Kolho Chair—revealing how generations of experimentation with form, materials, and function transformed something even as simple as a chair into a powerful expression of modern design.

#Wolfsonian Collection, Gift of John C. Waddell, New York City
🪑 Paimio Chair, 1931–32. Alvar Aalto, designer. Korhonen factory, Turku, Finland, manufacturer.

Special thanks to our lender: Made by Choice, Halikko, Finland
🪑 Chair, Kolho Chair, 2019. Matthew Day Jackson, designer. Made by Choice, Halikko, Finland, manufacturer.

All other images are from The Wolfsonian collection.

#moderndesign #alvaraalto #chairdesign taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

197

2

2 months ago

dot dot dot... 🟡🟡🟡

Come for the iconic designs in the exhibition.
Stay for the dots on the wall.

See what catches your eye in “Modern Design Across Borders.”

#wolfsonian #miamimuseum #moderndesign taken in The Wolfsonian-FIU by @wolfsonian

166

3

3 months ago