Client
Stanley Picker Gallery
Overview
Through a collection of conversations and objects, captured within people’s homes. Show and Tell challenges the occidental notion that ‘designing’ and ‘making’ are distinct practices. Highlighting the beauty of non-Western design and emphasising that craft is not inferior to design; rather, it is an integral part of it.
Client
Stanley Picker Gallery
Industry
Arts and Culture
Service
Exhibition
Publication
Audio & Photography
The Brief
Inspired by Victor Papanek's article 'Edugraphology - the myths of design and the design of myths'. We Discovered that non-Western design has been largely overshadowed by Western design over the past 300 odd years. We needed to challenge the Occidental notion that ‘designing things’ and ‘making things’ are different. That craft is inferior to design, to appreciate and find beauty in design from different cultures. Not to take away from the Eurocentric design model we have been taught. Instead, it’s about widening our knowledge of design from around the world.
The Solution
Using photography, individuals were captured in their homes with their chosen objects, accompanied by an audio piece in which they discussed the significance of the object, its connection to their heritage, and their perspective on non-Western design. These conversations were later transcribed and published in a book available at the exhibition, alongside the Victor Papanek article that inspired this project.
The Result
Images were projected onto the walls of the Stanley Picker Gallery, accompanied by speakers playing the conversations aloud. Visitors were invited to move at their own pace, with the option to sit and listen to the full audio piece or continue to the next.
