Prof. Yolanda Cuomo's Class Designs Art in a Can

Yolanda Cuomo, a professor in the Department of Photography & Imaging at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and her class Design Projects, have created a series of art objects called "Art in a Can." This assignment was handed out before the pandemic moved all classes to remote learning, but it has proven to be pertinent.

Inspired by an exhibition at The Arte Povera Museum, Magazzino Italian Art, in Cold Springs, NY, "Art in a Can" is an imaginary collaboration between the MoMa and Target to get art out to the masses.

Each student pulled an artist name out of a hat and designed a can that could be sent by mail dedicated to each artist. Each can — decorated with a unique label — contains a poster, a 48 page zine, and a T-shirt.

The artists include Sister Corita Kent, Isamu Noguchi, Varvara Stepanova, Keith Haring, Georgia O'Keefe, Robert Rauschenberg, Frida Kahlo, and Andy Warhol.

In Prof. Cuomo's own words: 

I encouraged them to make things now during this difficult times and always.

It is how we can connect with others and keep our balance / sanity.

This is our work as artists...to make and share.

This is art, a life of making.

Below is an example of an "Art in a Can" by DPI Senior Sophia Berger de Souza: