Exhibitions
Iron, matter and memory: the DHub reclaims the metal that has forged the world
An exhibition traces the journey of iron, from medieval craftsmanship to contemporary industry, and questions its environmental and cultural impact.
Iron, discreet and omnipresent, has been one of the great material drivers of human history. From the first tools to the structures that define contemporary cities, this metal has shaped both daily life and cultural imaginaries. Now, the Disseny Hub Barcelona (DHub) puts the spotlight on this silent protagonist with the exhibition Iron Techniques: from artisanal work to industrial production , a proposal that invites us to rediscover it from a transversal and critical perspective.
Integrated into the conceptual line of the long-running exhibition Matter Matters. Designing with the World , this new exhibition delves into the role of iron within the narrative of the mineral matter. With a hundred pieces from the Design Museum Collection —some never exhibited—, the tour offers a rich and diverse overview of the multiple forms and uses of this material over the centuries.
Stamped, curved, chiseled, cut, hammered, bent, drilled, welded and painted industrial iron; glass. Nirvana floor lamp - Ferrocolor. Vidal Hermanos, Barcelona, 1960. Donation Edmond Vidal, 2019 - MDB 8966.
From 14th-century objects to contemporary creations, the selection demonstrates iron's ability to adapt to changing contexts and needs. We find everything from delicate pieces of goldsmithing and artisanal tools to industrial products such as household appliances, furniture and typewriters. This heterogeneity not only reflects the versatility of the material, but also its constant presence in everyday life.
The exhibition, curated by Gemma Rovirosa and Rossend Casanova, establishes a dialogue between tradition and innovation. The technical processes -forging, welding, stamping- are shown as witnesses to an evolution that goes from artisanal workshops to mass industrial production. In this sense, iron is revealed not only as a raw material, but also as a vehicle for social and economic transformation.
Industrial iron, cast, turned, milled, drilled, threaded and adjusted, stamped, folded and enameled; wood, rubber and cotton. M20 typewriter (prototype) - Hispano Olivetti technical equipment - Hispano Olivetti, Barcelona, 1929. Donation Association of Retirees of Olivetti Group Companies, 2014 - MADB 138901.
Prominent names in Catalan and international design and industry, such as Antoni de Moragas, Miguel Milá or companies such as Mobles 114 and Escofet, coexist with anonymous pieces from remote eras, generating a story that transcends authorship to focus on the material and its impact.
But beyond the historical and aesthetic dimension, the exhibition raises an urgent question: what is the environmental cost of iron? At a time of growing ecological awareness, the exhibition invites us to reflect on the extraction and production processes, which are highly energy-intensive and responsible for polluting emissions. Despite being a recyclable material and key in the manufacture of steel, its massive use poses significant challenges in terms of sustainability.
Thus, Iron Techniques is not just an exhibition about a material, but an invitation to rethink the relationship between design, industry and the environment. An opportunity to observe with new eyes what we often take for granted. Available from April 30 to September 6, 2026, the exhibition is presented as an essential event for all those interested in material culture and the possible futures of design.
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