For the last decade, leading graphic designer and typographer Stefan Sagmeister has been on a spiritual journey, with hopes of understanding human happiness. He began his quest for an improved feeling of overall well-being in 2000 and has since traveled the world investigating cultural and regional ideas of happiness, as well as dabbling with mood-altering practices (meditation, Cognitive Therapy, and some drugs) along the way. Sagmeister shared his thoughts on the matter in SEVERAL TED TALKS and even explored the topic at Deitch Projects in 2008, when he stacked 10,000 fresh bananas spelling "Self-confidence produces fine results" against a wall. The results of his research manifested into his documentary, The Happy Film, and his traveling exhibition, The Happy Show, both released earlier this year.
The Jewish Museum’s latest exhibition, simply called Six Things, is a further progression into Sagmeister’s discoveries. Done with Jessica Walsh, his partner from his design firm Sagmeister & Walsh, the exhibit is centered around six simple, inspiring mantras from his personal diary, which he believes have increased his own level of happiness:
"If I Don’t Ask, I Won’t Get"
"Keeping a Diary Supports Personal Development"
"Be More Flexible"
"It Is Pretty Much Impossible to Please Everyone"
"Now Is Better"
"Feel Others Feel"
I left the museum in an uplifted state of meditative bliss, moved by what I had experienced. As for what exactly the exhibition might be doing at the Jewish Museum, a recent Gallup survey found that "Jewish-Americans report higher levels of happiness than all other major faith groups in the country." Sagmeister and Walsh's glass is half full, and they're inspiring the world to place more emphasis on the positive things in life, no matter how tiny they may be.
Six Things: Stefan Sagmeister & Jessica Walsh is on view through August 4th, 2013
THE JEWISH MUSEUM
1109 5th Ave
New York, NY 10128
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Sagmeister & Walsh, stills from Now Is Better, 2012. HD video, 1 min., 40 secs. In collaboration with Matthew and Erik Huber. © Sagmeister & Walsh.
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Sagmeister & Walsh, still from If I Don’t Ask, 2013. HD video, 2 min., 12 secs. In collaboration with Santiago Carrasquilla and Steve Romano. © Sagmeister & Walsh
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The Jewish Museum’s latest exhibition, simply called Six Things, is a further progression into Sagmeister’s discoveries. Done with Jessica Walsh, his partner from his design firm Sagmeister & Walsh, the exhibit is centered around six simple, inspiring mantras from his personal diary, which he believes have increased his own level of happiness:
"If I Don’t Ask, I Won’t Get"
"Keeping a Diary Supports Personal Development"
"Be More Flexible"
"It Is Pretty Much Impossible to Please Everyone"
"Now Is Better"
"Feel Others Feel"
I left the museum in an uplifted state of meditative bliss, moved by what I had experienced. As for what exactly the exhibition might be doing at the Jewish Museum, a recent Gallup survey found that "Jewish-Americans report higher levels of happiness than all other major faith groups in the country." Sagmeister and Walsh's glass is half full, and they're inspiring the world to place more emphasis on the positive things in life, no matter how tiny they may be.
Six Things: Stefan Sagmeister & Jessica Walsh is on view through August 4th, 2013
THE JEWISH MUSEUM
1109 5th Ave
New York, NY 10128
MAP
Sagmeister & Walsh, stills from Now Is Better, 2012. HD video, 1 min., 40 secs. In collaboration with Matthew and Erik Huber. © Sagmeister & Walsh.
Sagmeister & Walsh, still from If I Don’t Ask, 2013. HD video, 2 min., 12 secs. In collaboration with Santiago Carrasquilla and Steve Romano. © Sagmeister & Walsh
