'Design Museum Collection: Extraordinary Stories about Ordinary Things'

摘要

This ambitious exhibition of the Design Museum's permanent collection was intended to 'reveal intriguing insights in the most exceptional everyday objects'. Extraordinary Stories places humble Bic ballpoint pens on an equal standing with flamboyant furniture designed by the Brazilian Campana Brothers. A pastel-toned Dyson vacuum cleaner stands next to pieces by the firms Alessi and Starck. The exhibition is structured into six stories or sections, beginning with the dawning of modernism, before branching off to explore broad themes of national identity, collecting, plastics and iconic design. 'Fashion' was the much-vaunted subject of one 'story', with six outfits from the collection of museum benefactor Lady Jill Ritblat, a barrister and collector of fashion who has led a life in society.