Questlove Hearts Emojis

August 7, 2017·20 min·1 clip

Abbi Jacobson explores the at sign's medieval origins and how it became essential to email.

Host Abbi Jacobson explores everyday design with Paola Antonelli, a senior curator at MoMA. Antonelli champions the idea that functional objects like the "@" symbol and emojis deserve a place in a museum. The episode traces the history of the "@" sign from medieval monks to its adoption by engineer Ray Tomlinson for email in 1971. Antonelli acquired the original 1999 emoji set, 176 blocky 12x12 pixel designs by Shigetaka Kurita for a Japanese telecom. She explains that preserving digital code is a core museum duty, comparing its fragility to porcelain. Guest Amir "Questlove" Thompson discusses his preference for Bitmojis and his direct feedback to creators for more inclusive features. Antonelli reveals MoMA's design roots in a 1934 "Machine Art" exhibition featuring industrial items like ball bearings. She curated a video game exhibition including Pac-Man and Tetris, which faced criticism from some who argued games aren't art. Antonelli describes negative reviewers as "old farts" who sounded out of touch. She argues video games are a legitimate modern art form encompassing expression and education. The conversation is casual and enthusiastic, filled with personal anecdotes and mutual admiration. Listeners interested in design history, digital culture, and museum curation will enjoy this episode. Those seeking traditional fine art analysis or skeptical of pop culture in museums might find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A bright, funny argument for taking emojis and the at sign seriously as design culture.

Questlove Hearts Emojis makes a brisk case for treating everyday digital marks as design culture, not disposable tech garnish. Abby Jacobson begins with Paola Antonelli, MoMA's senior curator in architecture and design, following the at sign from medieval manuscript shorthand…

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Why you'd press play

If you have ever felt weirdly attached to a tiny symbol, this is for you.

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