Shakers: Zeal, Craft, and Modern Echoes

The Shakers, officially the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, are examined in "A World in the Making: The Shakers" at the University of Pennsylvania's Institute of Contemporary Art through August 9. The exhibition delves into the contrast between their meticulously crafted, sober furniture and their spirited worship, known as "limber zeal."

This iteration of the show, previously at Germany's Vitra Design Museum, forefronts contemporary artists like Amie Cunat and Reggie Wilson, whose works interpret Shaker philosophy. It then transitions to showcase exquisite Shaker artifacts, including a metronome by Brother Isaac Newton Youngs and characteristic chairs.

The exhibition highlights the Shakers' unique sensibility, where order and creativity coexisted. It explores their founding principles, emphasizing diligent work inspired by the motto: "Do your work as if you had a thousand years to live and as if you were to die tomorrow."

Contemporary interest in Shaker design, noted for its clean lines and restraint, continues to grow. The sect's influence on modernists and artists is evident, with curators suggesting their principles hold increasing relevance today.

Finally, the show considers the Shakers' entrepreneurial spirit through items like medicine bottles and seed boxes. Their model of "communitarian capitalism" provides a framework for understanding how principled communities can thrive while engaging with broader economic systems.