Alex Da Corte’s Mouse Museum: Van Gogh Ear – A Contemporary Reimagining. Design by Studio Anthony Smyrski

Alex Da Corte’s Mouse Museum (Van Gogh Ear) is both homage and evolution—a 21st-century reimagining of Claes Oldenburg’s iconic Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing. Where Oldenburg’s original Mickey Mouse–shaped room (1965–late 1970s) presented an archive of collected ephemera, Da Corte’s installation transforms this concept into something more intimate, poetic, and surreal: a sculptural space shaped like Mickey’s left ear—a nod to Van Gogh—brimming with glass fruit, McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, and synthetic flowers.

The accompanying publication, designed by Studio Anthony Smyrski, functions as both exhibition catalog and artist’s book. Conceived as a “mutant facsimile” of the 1979 Rijksmuseum/Museum Ludwig catalog, it documents over 300 objects through vivid color photography while giving voice to Da Corte’s reflections, inspirations, and process. The project meticulously recreates the tactile qualities of the original publication, from the paper stocks to the binding and printing methods.

This ambitious production required seamless coordination between two major institutions—the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan—and across three languages: English, Danish, and Japanese. Over the course of two years, Smyrski and William Pym (Da Cortes studio manager) conducted extensive research and material testing to ensure fidelity and innovation, including the addition of an opaque silver spot layer exclusive to the Japanese edition.

Anthony Smyrski is a designer and strategist known for his work at the intersection of design, culture, and business. Based in Amsterdam and originally from Philadelphia, Smyrski leads his namesake studio with a philosophy rooted in curiosity and cross-disciplinary collaboration. For more than two decades, he has crafted design systems and experiences that balance visual sophistication with strategic clarity.

Smyrski’s practice thrives on diversity—working with major corporations, independent artists, cultural institutions, and academic organizations alike. This breadth of collaboration infuses each project with insights drawn from varied worlds, from business strategy to artistic experimentation. His process is both analytical and intuitive: posing informed questions, reframing the expected, and finding elegant solutions that challenge conventional thinking.

Working through an exclusive partnership model, Smyrski accepts a limited number of projects each year, ensuring each collaboration receives focused attention and a deeply personalized approach. The result is design that not only looks refined but also resonates intellectually and culturally.

His portfolio includes collaborations with institutions and brands such as Adidas, Alex Da Corte, Distributed Art Publishers, Maysles Films, Nike, Princeton Architectural Press, Thames & Hudson, The High Line, The Louisiana Museum of Art, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Uber, Wilder, and Yale University

Alex Da Corte’s Mouse Museum: Van Gogh Ear – A Contemporary Reimagining. Design by Studio Anthony Smyrski

Alex Da Corte’s Mouse Museum (Van Gogh Ear) is both homage and evolution—a 21st-century reimagining of Claes Oldenburg’s iconic Mouse Museum/Ray Gun Wing. Where Oldenburg’s original Mickey Mouse–shaped room (1965–late 1970s) presented an archive of collected ephemera, Da Corte’s installation transforms this concept into something more intimate, poetic, and surreal: a sculptural space shaped like Mickey’s left ear—a nod to Van Gogh—brimming with glass fruit, McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, and synthetic flowers.

The accompanying publication, designed by Studio Anthony Smyrski, functions as both exhibition catalog and artist’s book. Conceived as a “mutant facsimile” of the 1979 Rijksmuseum/Museum Ludwig catalog, it documents over 300 objects through vivid color photography while giving voice to Da Corte’s reflections, inspirations, and process. The project meticulously recreates the tactile qualities of the original publication, from the paper stocks to the binding and printing methods.

This ambitious production required seamless coordination between two major institutions—the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in Kanazawa, Japan—and across three languages: English, Danish, and Japanese. Over the course of two years, Smyrski and William Pym (Da Cortes studio manager) conducted extensive research and material testing to ensure fidelity and innovation, including the addition of an opaque silver spot layer exclusive to the Japanese edition.

Anthony Smyrski is a designer and strategist known for his work at the intersection of design, culture, and business. Based in Amsterdam and originally from Philadelphia, Smyrski leads his namesake studio with a philosophy rooted in curiosity and cross-disciplinary collaboration. For more than two decades, he has crafted design systems and experiences that balance visual sophistication with strategic clarity.

Smyrski’s practice thrives on diversity—working with major corporations, independent artists, cultural institutions, and academic organizations alike. This breadth of collaboration infuses each project with insights drawn from varied worlds, from business strategy to artistic experimentation. His process is both analytical and intuitive: posing informed questions, reframing the expected, and finding elegant solutions that challenge conventional thinking.

Working through an exclusive partnership model, Smyrski accepts a limited number of projects each year, ensuring each collaboration receives focused attention and a deeply personalized approach. The result is design that not only looks refined but also resonates intellectually and culturally.

His portfolio includes collaborations with institutions and brands such as Adidas, Alex Da Corte, Distributed Art Publishers, Maysles Films, Nike, Princeton Architectural Press, Thames & Hudson, The High Line, The Louisiana Museum of Art, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Uber, Wilder, and Yale University