Silestone Quartz Surfaces to Sponsor MoMA Exhibition Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen

NEW YORK, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Silestone, (www.silestoneusa.com), the world leader in quartz surfacing, announces its sponsorship of Counter Space: Design and the Modern Kitchen at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.  This exhibition takes a fascinating look at architectural modernism from the inside out, through the 20th century transformation of the kitchen.  The exhibition is curated by Juliet Kinchin, Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design, and will be on display from September 15, 2010 – March 14, 2011.

"We are honored to sponsor this incredible exhibition and to partner for the first time with The Museum of Modern Art. The Silestone brand is synonymous with the sophisticated modern-day kitchen, and shares a deep appreciation for the important, ever-changing, role of this room in the home.  The evolution over the decades is truly impressive.  We hope that Counter Space inspires visitors to consider kitchen design and its significance in a whole new light," said Lorenzo Marquez, VP of Marketing for Cosentino North America.

The exhibition will explore how from the 1920s, fitted kitchens communicated concepts of functional "contemporary" design to mass audiences around the world.  Previously hidden from view in basement or annex, the kitchen became a platform of modern thinking into the domestic sphere, a testing ground for the application of new materials and technology.  Though the radical nature of design innovations in the home have often been obscured, these "counter spaces" have articulated, and at times actively challenged, our relationship to the food we eat, our attitudes to the domestic role of women, to family life, consumerism, and political ideology.  With this ever-changing image, has come an evolution in the different components that make up the kitchen, including the countertops. As an industry leader and innovator, Silestone and its parent company, Cosentino, have been at the forefront of these trends, adapting and advancing its business and new product innovations to support the design community worldwide.

The partnership with MoMA is yet another highpoint in a significant year for Silestone's business, as its parent company Cosentino launches plans to significantly expand its presence in the U.S. in the next 12 months.

"As our business continues to grow in North America, it's imperative to support architects and designers, and share an appreciation for our industry," said Lorenzo Marquez, VP of Marketing for Cosentino. "This educational exhibit provides a retrospective of kitchen design over the decades and prompts us to consider an exciting future of endless design possibilities," he adds.

For an opportunity to explore the exhibition more extensively the Counter Space website will be launched on September 15 (www.moma.org/counterspace).  

Media Contact:

For more information, please contact Sharp Communications, Inc., at (212) 829-0002. Trade media: Chrissy Gaffney, Ext. 104, [email protected]. Consumer media: Johanna Scott, Ext. 110, [email protected].

About Cosentino Group:

Cosentino Group, a worldwide leader in the distribution of natural stone, quartz surfaces and recycled surfaces, now has a presence in 50 countries and has six factories, 14 quarries, 17 fabricating factories and more than 2,100 employees all over the world.  With 11 manufacturing lines, Cosentino is the largest manufacturer of natural quartz surfaces in the world. The company covers the entire process of producing natural stone products including quarrying, manufacturing, fabricating, and installing surfaces, such as kitchen and bathroom countertops, wall cladding and many other applications. In 2008, Cosentino received ISO 14001 Certification for its environmental management, measurement, evaluation, and auditing practices.  The multinational group is present with branches in 15 countries: Cosentino HQ in Spain, Cosentino North America (U.S. and Canada), Cosentino The Netherlands, Cosentino Belgium, Cosentino UK, Cosentino Ireland, Cosentino Deutschland, Cosentino Austria, Cosentino Scandinavia, Cosentino Swiss, Cosentino Portugal, Cosentino Italia, Cosentino France, Cosentino Latina Vitoria (Brazil). The Cosentino Group family of brands include: Silestone Natural Quartz with built-in antimicrobial protection; ECO by Cosentino™, an eco-friendly line of surface material made of 75% recycled post-consumer and post-industrial content; SenSa® Granite with SenGuard® offering a 15-year warranty against staining; Scalea Natural Stone, which includes marble, travertine and soapstone; Marlique™ Marble, enhanced marble for vanities; MURO™ Mosaics, pre-meshed tiles made with recycled Silestone; and the Prexury™ Collection, a semi-precious stone line handmade by expert craftsmen. For more information, visit www.cosentinonorthamerica.com.

SOURCE Silestone