So thanks, everyone, for helping me survive my first 20 years of it, and thank you in advance for helping me through my second 20 years of it. Whatever it is.

I will be in touch somewhat later, regarding my third 20 years.

I was recently in Germany and picked up “Scenography / Szenografie”, a compendium of work by the formidable Prof. Uwe Brueckner and colleagues at Atelier Brueckner in Stuttgart. In US stores in February, available for preorder now.

The book is rather spectacular, further evidence of the remarkable progress of exhibition designers around the world over the past generation, particularly in Europe, where Stuttgart is a veritable hive of brilliant firms. US designers would do well to get a copy of this book and others.

Image above via Atelier Brueckner.

Currently under construction: the new Zayed National Museum, just outside Abu Dhabi, by architects Foster & Partners.

Why wings? Pick one and post your answer below:

(a) The eponymous Sheikh Zayed, who is the original founder of the whole UAE, loves falconry. The wings are meant to honor his pastime.

(b) They are innovative ventilation scoops that cool the building in an arid, unforgiving climate.

(c) Both (a) and (b) above.

(d) Why not?

Here, on the other hand, is a Foster museum with just one new wing.

Via Gizmodo.

Mm, pretty: the new MoMA abstract expressionism iPad app.

Exactly what I’m supposed to do with it, I’m not quite sure. Is it a really big handheld guide for my next museum visit, or do I sit on my porch and use it, but not see the real art? If it’s the former, both my hands are already full of the little hands of my co-visitors. If it’s the latter, I’ll go for a coffee table book (bigger pictures, higher resolution).

All that said, it’s beautiful anyway, so why not.

Brilliant. I’ve been trying to convince someone to do this for years. And bravo, Mr. de Guzman.

“From close up, the headquarters of the senior curator of art at the Oakland Museum of California mostly looks the same. de Guzman’s laptop and phone occupy their usual spots on his glass-topped desk. The walls are covered with sketches and paintings. But instead of sitting behind a closed door in the museum’s administrative wing, de Guzman is on display to the public as he works at his desk alongside the art displays.”

Via the Bay Citizen.

Mesmerizing: CERN’s new interactive exhibition center on YouTube. (Run it full screen for full effect.) Do you know the designers? Please comment below. Design by the excellent folks at Atelier Brückner. (Thanks, Phillip Teufel!)

Also on Flickr here. And more here. Via the excellent PLOT.

Click the link at the very top of this page, or here, and enjoy. More fancy features to come, this is just a start.

Many thanks to Jessica Griscti, bibliographer extraordinaire, for helping to make this happen.

Suggestions? Missing books? Useful? Not useful? Comments open below.

More from the Museum:

Chart your own course at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City with AMNH Explorer—a new app that is part custom navigation system, part personal tour guide for the Museum’s world-famous halls. Providing turn-by-turn directions, AMNH Explorer takes visitors from the edge of the universe to the age of the dinosaurs. Choose from a variety of Museum-designed tours or create your own from a list of popular exhibits, specimens, or artifacts. AMNH Explorer also lets you share your adventures with friends and family by linking directly to your Facebook and Twitter profiles. Download AMNH Explorer now and start planning your next visit or use your iPhone® or iPod® touch to discover the Museum’s must-sees from anywhere in the world.

More from the New York Times here. Links to the entire media frenzy here.

“Ceaseless World Expo!”

Denmark, completely the opposite, with a beautifully designed building and little else to “do” (not that anything more is needed):

And finally, the hauntingly beautiful, award-winning UK pavilion, the “Seed Cathedral”: