WIDN blog

I studied art history so I have grappled with the concept of design, the tension between form and function and the idea of art for the sake of art.

My thoughts would wander from twelfth-century ecclesiastical art with both a rich aesthetic and practical function, to late nineteenth century artists like Cezanne, who relished the beauty of color and form. But, each piece of art always had a story to tell, a meaning or an interwoven social message.

Take Anglo-Saxon jewellery that used intricate zoomorphic designs for apotropaic reasons, Manet’s Olympia that communicated a frank message on the reality of prostitution in France or Hogarth’s stories of morality in nineteenth century London.

Either way, my thought process when it comes to art and design is to expect the unexpected and penetrate the realm of the superficial.

An installation in The Philip Johnson Architecture and Design Galleries, the exhibition showcases 98 objects in the Museum’s collection.

The works range from posters to chairs, and from videos to vehicles designed for harsh terrains and unforgiving circumstances.

When describing the exhibition, the curators refer to the complex relationship between design and functional form.

“Good design is not always pretty, but when it is good, it is undeniably powerful, meaningful, and beautiful. It is a common mistake to equate design with decoration and embellishment, but design is not simply a matter of giving a pleasing form to a functional object.”

The Guardian Angel Handbag (2002), designed by Carolien Vlieger and Hein van Dam, which features the outline of a knife on the outside of the bag, creating a three-dimensional illusion that a knife is actually being carried inside. The idea is to create a sense of security and make the wearer feel secure against thieves. A far cry from carefully patterned zoomorphic Anglo-Saxon jewelry intended to protect the sixth-century civilian!

Suited for Subversion Prototype by Ralph Borland

The Suited for Subversion Prototype (2002), created by Ralph Borland. Designed as a civil-disobedience suit, made of nylon-reinforced PVC and padding, it is actually intended to protect street protestors from police batons.

It includes a small speaker in the center that amplifies the heartbeat of the wearer, creating tension and excitement in a protest setting, and a wireless video camera mounted over the head that acts as a witness to events. The ultimate kit for any keen lobbyist or journalist!