Judith Schaechter Explores Neuroaesthetics and the Nature of Beauty at the Museum of Craft and Design

Judith Schaechter: Super/Natural, on display at the Museum of Craft and Design (MCD) in San Francisco until February 8, 2026, dives into how natural components, patterns, and ornamentation serve as reflections on beauty.

Centering the exhibition is Schaechter’s most monumental piece to date, also named “Super/Natural.” This 8-foot-tall, 5.5-foot-wide stained glass dome was crafted during her residency at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics. It is ingeniously designed for a single viewer at its core, portraying a tripartite cosmos inspired by her exploration of biophilic design and its influence on human consciousness. Biophilic design principles are frequently applied in hospitals and office environments to create “refresh rooms,” intended to reduce stress and promote tranquility.

The “Super/Natural” dome is adorned with 65 striking stained-glass panels filled with whimsical insects, plants, birds, and animals. By placing the viewer in the center, it encourages reflection on both inner consciousness—how we neurologically and psychologically perceive our surroundings—and the outer world—how we engage with our environment.

Beyond offering an immersive and meditative journey, Schaechter brings fresh perspectives to this classic art form. Utilizing “flash glass,” a hand-blown glass featuring a fine layer of vivid color over a clear base, she has developed her own time-consuming technique of sandblasting, etching, and layering hues to create deep, complex tones and painterly effects, finalized with black enamel and silver stain.

Alongside the dome, the exhibition showcases seven additional works by Schaechter that resonate with themes of nature, patterns, and ornamentation while interrogating the cultural constructs surrounding the natural world.

The artwork featured in Judith Schaechter: Super/Natural aims to provoke contemplation on our psychological and aesthetic connections to nature, serving as both a literal and metaphorical lens through which audiences can explore the interplay between beauty, imagination, and nature in shaping human experiences.

For more information, visit sfmcd.org. 

Judith Schaechter: Super/Natural is generously supported by Anonymous and the Glass Alliance of Northern California.