Haas Brothers' Whimsical Sculptures Showcased in 'Uncanny Valley' Exhibit at MAD

The Museum of Arts and Design in Manhattan hosts a retrospective of the brothers' work from 2015 to 2025.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:45am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a large, fuzzy, multicolored sculpture made with mixed fiber materials, capturing the luxurious, tactile quality of the artwork through dramatic studio lighting and an abstract, high-contrast composition.The Haas Brothers' whimsical sculptures, featuring a range of unexpected materials and textures, take center stage in a new retrospective at the Museum of Arts and Design.Manhattan Today

The Haas Brothers, known for their imaginative and playful sculptures, are the focus of a new exhibition titled 'Uncanny Valley' at the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in Manhattan. The exhibition features 85 artworks created by the twin brothers between 2015 and 2025, including glass bead, wire, and mixed fiber sculptures like 'Mary Tyler Spore,' 'Gator Tots,' and 'Hugs Bunny.' The brothers say the show is like 'looking through an old family album' and hope visitors will feel a sense of joy when experiencing their creations.

Why it matters

The Haas Brothers have developed a unique and highly sought-after artistic style over the past decade, blending whimsical forms with intricate craftsmanship. This retrospective at MAD provides an opportunity for the public to appreciate the evolution of their work and the creative partnership between the twin brothers.

The details

The 'Uncanny Valley' exhibition at MAD features a wide range of the Haas Brothers' work, including acrylic paintings, furniture, and large fuzzy sculptures. A highlight is a massive strawberry tree sculpture covered in hundreds of thousands of antique Venetian glass beads, which the brothers discovered in old wooden boxes with layers of dust. The brothers say they trust that the things they make together will be better than what they make alone, and they hope visitors will feel a sense of joy and empathy when experiencing their creations.

  • The 'Uncanny Valley' exhibition runs from April 11 through August 16, 2026.
  • The Haas Brothers' work on display was created between 2015 and 2025.

The players

Haas Brothers

Twin brothers Simon and Nikolai Haas, known for their imaginative and whimsical sculptures and artworks.

Museum of Arts and Design (MAD)

A museum in Manhattan's Columbus Circle that is hosting the 'Uncanny Valley' exhibition featuring the Haas Brothers' work.

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What they’re saying

“We have a memory with each piece, so it's cool. It's like looking through an old family album or something, but it's just embedded in these objects.”

— Simon Haas

“We were opening these old wooden boxes with layers of dust and we would open it and the dust would clear and there were beautiful bright beads inside, it was pretty cool, it felt like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' or something.”

— Nikolai Haas

“If we ever do get in a fight, which happens, we always know it's worth getting back to where we were to create great work, and, more importantly, have a relationship.”

— Nikolai Haas

“We take our work very seriously, but we don't take ourselves too seriously, and I hope the vibe in there is just enjoy yourself.”

— Simon Haas

“Being patient and taking more time to being open to deeper messages that might be embedded inside the work, but if they just experience joy we are both really happy about that; that's totally enough.”

— Nikolai Haas

What’s next

The 'Uncanny Valley' exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in Manhattan will be on display through August 16, 2026.

The takeaway

The Haas Brothers' retrospective at MAD showcases their unique artistic partnership and their ability to create whimsical, imaginative sculptures that evoke a sense of joy and wonder in viewers. Their work has evolved over the past decade, but their commitment to playfulness and experimentation remains a constant.