Design and the Elastic Mind, currently on exhibition at MoMA, is a survey of the latest developments in the field of design. The work explores the ways in which changes in science, technology, and even social mores affect human behavior, and illuminates the reflection of this parallel evolution in designed objects. Or, stated more succinctly in this great post by Sarah Meyers: the exhibition “shows the relationship between design, science, and innovation.”

Highlights of the show include: a survey of mashups including twittervision and safe2pee; the New York Talk Exchange (NYTE), an MIT joint which visualizes the flow of telephone and intenet traffic into and out of New York City; and, of course, I Want You To Want Me, a truly impressive and exciting interactive piece by Jonathan Harris and Sep Kamvar that “chronicles the world’s long-term relationship with romance” through the exploration and visualization of information shared through online dating sites. (If you’ve talked to me in the last 3 months, you already know what a huge fan I am of Jonathan Harris.)

Design and the Elastic Mind is highly relevant and thoroughly compelling for anyone interested in design, science, technology, and/or human behavior and interaction. The requisite Sunday afternoon MoMA crowd notwithstanding, I give it 5 stars.