Wednesday 27 March 2013

#MusSocks

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

(Easter opening times

The theme this month on culturethemes.blogspot.co.uk/ is Socks, yes Socks.  Socks in paintings, knitted socks, pictures of socks.

Plastics are not necessarily the first materials you may think of when it comes to your feet.  Some people think it is sweaty and not breathable but we have some interesting socks and sock accessories in the collection which we would like to share.

These cotton and Nylon socks are see through and the knit is quite loose so your feet will have plenty of ventilation:

AIBDC : 004852

The socks below have Teflon in the toe and heel to prevent blisters. That is the same material used in non-stick frying pans


 AIBDC : 005877

When exercising, feet tend to get particularly hot and sweaty but these sports socks have a special four-duct polyester fibre that is naturally water repellent and shaped to optimise capillary action, helping to keep the foot cool and dry: 
 
 AIBDC : 005875

Plastics can be mixed with other materials to create a fabric with outstanding properties. Here, polyester has been mixed with silver, an antimicrobial, before extrusion to create a healthy environment for the foot:

AIBDC : 005880

There was a time when socks were a more valued commodity than they are today, they were often handmade. This added investment meant that the act of throwing holey socks away would have been unheard of, they would have been darned and what better tool to help you than a darning mushroom?  The top two have a light inside to help you see the holes:


AIBDC : 0_6395

AIBDC : 006352SA

AIBDC : 006390SA

Other museums and museum visitors will be sharing their socks on twitter - find out more by searching #MusSocks or following @Culturethemes

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Monday 25 March 2013

BXL photographic archive #0003

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

(Easter opening times

In 2010, MoDiP was donated a large archive of images relating to a single company. Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, also known as British Xylonite Ltd or BXL, was possibly one of the first British firms to successfully manufacture a plastics material in commercial quantities. The company was established in 1875 and after a long history went into liquidation in the late 2000s. The images we have in the collection are concentrated around the 1960s through to the 1980s and show us glimpses of the manufacturing process, products and the company’s employees during this time. We plan to share an image each week to give a flavour of the archive. If you want to see more you can view the whole collection on our website.


This week’s image shows a transit sack in use.

To get a better view of the image and find out more have a look at it on our website
http://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/bxl--0128

We are still working on the documentation of the archive, some of the images we know more about than others. It would be fantastic if we could fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge, if you know anything about the company or specific images it would be good to hear from you.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Friday 22 March 2013

Are these getting harder?

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

(Easter opening times

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual. 


By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?




Post your answer in the comments below or find out more about the object by looking at the MoDiP catalogue.


Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Monday 18 March 2013

BXL photographic archive #0002

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

(Easter opening times

In 2010, MoDiP was donated a large archive of images relating to a single company. Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, also known as British Xylonite Ltd or BXL, was possibly one of the first British firms to successfully manufacture a plastics material in commercial quantities. The company was established in 1875 and after a long history went into liquidation in the late 2000s. The images we have in the collection are concentrated around the 1960s through to the 1980s and show us glimpses of the manufacturing process, products and the company’s employees during this time. We plan to share an image each week to give a flavour of the archive. If you want to see more you can view the whole collection on our website.


This week’s image shows a bottle mould in various stages.

To get a better view of the image and find out more have a look at it on our website
http://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/bxl--00812

We are still working on the documentation of the archive, some of the images we know more about than others. It would be fantastic if we could fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge, if you know anything about the company or specific images it would be good to hear from you.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Friday 15 March 2013

These could be handy

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

(Easter opening times

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual. 


By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?





Post your answer in the comments below or find out more about the object by looking at the MoDiP catalogue.


Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Easter opening hours

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

MoDiP's Easter opening hours will be as follows:

Week commencing Monday 18th March:
  • Monday - Thursday - 09.00 - 17.00
  • Friday - 09.00 - 16.00
  • Saturday - closed
Week commencing Monday 25th March:
  • Monday - Wednesday - 09.00 - 17.00
  • Thursday onwards - closed
We will return to term time opening hours on Tuesday 2nd April.


Happy Easter from us all at MoDiP.

Susan, Pam and Louise

Hazel napkin ring

Monday 11 March 2013

BXL photographic archive #0001

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)


In 2010, MoDiP was donated a large archive of images relating to a single company. Bakelite Xylonite Ltd, also known as British Xylonite Ltd or BXL, was possibly one of the first British firms to successfully manufacture a plastics material in commercial quantities. The company was established in 1875 and after a long history went into liquidation in the late 2000s. The images we have in the collection are concentrated around the 1960s through to the 1980s and show us glimpses of the manufacturing process, products and the company’s employees during this time. We plan to share an image each week to give a flavour of the archive. If you want to see more you can view the whole collection on our website.



This week’s image shows a range of bottles produced to contain household chemicals.

 
To get a better view of the image and find out more have a look at it on our website
http://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/bxl--00582




We are still working on the documentation of the archive, some of the images we know more about than others. It would be fantastic if we could fill in some of the gaps in our knowledge, if you know anything about the company or specific images it would be good to hear from you.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Friday 8 March 2013

What could this be?

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual. 


By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?





Post your answer in the comments below or find out more about the object by looking at the MoDiP catalogue.


Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Wednesday 6 March 2013

Shoes take inspiration from bridge design

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

MoDiP is delighted to have acquired a pair of innovative Mojito high heel shoes designed by the architect, Julian Hakes, in which the use of plastics rather than traditional shoe making materials has enabled the rethinking of shoe structure. We are most grateful for his generosity in presenting a pair as a gift for the permanent collection.
 
The Mojito high heels were brought to MoDiP’s attention by the Arts University Bournemouth’s National Teaching Fellow, who said ‘they will provide a very interesting design example for teaching’. As a result they are shortly to be featured as a highlight in an HEA funded workshop, Object Power: the use of museum artefacts in creative object-based learning & teaching in HE being held here at the Arts University Bournemouth at the end of March. To sign up please go to http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/events/detail/2013/Seminars/Disciplines_AH/GEN285_AUCB.  
 
 Julian, with his partner Cari-Jane Hakes, won his first architectural commission in 1995 when still at Cambridge University, both aged 22. Hakes Associates was founded in 2000 and is amongst the most influential UK architectural practices with a substantial international reputation. While they design the full range of work you would expect of such a practice they have made something of a specialism of bridges.  It was the same process as they use in bridge design that informed the design of these shoes: ‘examining the load path and looking at the most simple and elegant yet poetic expression of the forces at play within the materials used’. The shoe in particular recalls the Hakes design for the Mobius Bridge Bristol, for which site preparation works ahead of construction are underway.
 
 
The inspiration for the design  of  this unusual shoe began with a foot imprint in sand which in Julian’s words ‘makes it very clear that the main force goes to the heel and the ball …and the foot naturally ‘spans’ the gap’. The architect worked with his own foot wrapping it in tracing paper, binding it with masking tape, drawing various geometries over it, then cutting the shape with a scalpel and peeling it from his foot.


Novel construction suggested the use of novel materials. Thus the core is made of composite polycarbonate and fibre reinforcement which provides the shoe with both the strength needed to support a person’s weight and the springiness necessary for easy movement. The composite frame is laminated with synthetic rubber on the floor side and leather padded with sculpted 3D memory foam on the side that touches the foot. The shoes were two years in development. Early prototypes of a carbon fibre core version were made by Julian Hakes in his London Studio using sculptor supplies and old wooden foot lasts.  Hakes also wanted furniture or automotive firms to stitch the leather because of the superb quality of their work. The shoe is currently manufactured in China in a plant owned by one of the architect’s key investors.  Although these are white, they are made in a wonderful array of contrasting colours, the leather dyed to a wide range of different colours and the outers likewise painted, coated in metal or printed. In spite of their unusual appearance they are said to be remarkably comfortable.


 
Mojito presents a completely new shoe structure resembling a sliver of lime peel, from which it takes its name. For those less familiar with their cocktails, a Mojito is one such which originated in Cuba made from white rum, sugar, sparkling water, mint and lime juice.


Susan Lambert (Head of the Museum of Design in Plastics)
With thanks to Julian Hakes London and Rachel Aldersley, Hakes Associates

Monday 4 March 2013

One for the ladies

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

In MoDiP's exhibition Encore! Re:formed Plastics we featured the innovative product designed to be healthy for both the body and the environment.  The Mooncup is a mestrual cup which helps to reduce our reliance on dispoabale sanitary products.

In line with the innovative nature of the product, the company who make it have come up with a fantastic ad campaign highlighting the battle between menstrual cups and tampons.



Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)



I would like to thank Kath Clements, from Mooncup, for the following information:
Tampon vs Mooncup Rap Battle

Two crews, representing Mooncup and Tampon ‘battle it out’, pitting the typical emotional reactions of users of conventional sanitary products against the factual benefits of using Mooncup.
Mooncup Ltd are a small ethical business manufacturing a product that’s a one-off purchase, so need to be creative in flexing their marketing budget’s muscle against the multi-million pound spend of disposable sanitary product giants.

On average, each woman will have around 500 periods in her lifetime, and will use about 22 tampons or pads per period.  During the 2010 International Coastal Cleanup, 24,607 tampons and applicators were found on our world’s beaches (Ocean Conservancy 2010).  Since 2002, 855 million tampons and pads have already been prevented from entering the waste stream thanks to women changing their habits and using the Mooncup instead.

Kath Clements, Campaigns and Marketing Manager at Mooncup says, “Ultimately choosing the right sanitary product for you is really personal: we’d just like to make sure that women choose knowing the facts. Staging a rap battle was a playful way to present some of the reservations about using the Mooncup that we hear, alongside the benefits that Mooncup users enjoy- in the end, as ever, it’ll be down to the viewer to pick her ‘crew’!“

Facts about Mooncup

Whether you want to reduce your carbon footprint, save money or just look after your health, there are many reasons to choose the Mooncup.

Eco-friendly

The reusable Mooncup offers a simple way to dramatically reduce the amount of waste you produce.

• One woman will use over 11,000 disposable sanitary products in a lifetime

• 22 tampons or towels are used, on average, each period

• In the UK alone, 4.3 billion disposable sanitary products are used every year

These items, their packaging, applicators and backing-strips will end up in landfill or in the sea.

Over one weekend, the Marine Conservation Society found 30 sanitary product items per km of UK beach surveyed. (Source: MCS Beachwatch survey 2010)

Mooncup Ltd. is the first sanitary protection manufacturer in the world to be awarded Ethical Business status for its people and environmentally -friendly practices.

Healthier

The Mooncup is made from soft medical grade silicone and is latex-free, hypoallergenic and contains no dyes, BPA, phthalates, plastic, bleaches or toxins.

Because the Mooncup is non-absorbent, it will not cause dryness and does not disrupt your body’s natural pH levels (35% of the fluid tampons absorb is natural moisture.

The Mooncup does not contain any absorbency gels, additives or perfumes. Unlike some conventional cotton sanitary products, it is also free from pesticides and GM materials.

Tampons can cause dryness and leave fibres behind. The Mooncup is designed to respect your natural balance.

Convenient

The Mooncup holds three times the fluid of a tampon, giving longer lasting protection on heavier days. And, because it is non-absorbent, it won’t cause dryness when your period is light.

Cheaper

One Mooncup costs the same as the average woman will spend on disposable sanitary protection in 4-8 periods* and will last for years. (*One woman will roughly have 500 periods in her menstruating life)

Notes

About Mooncup

Mooncup, the world’s first medical grade silicone reusable menstrual cup, was created by Brighton entrepreneur Su Hardy in 2002 and is now distributed in over fifty countries worldwide.  In the UK, the Mooncup is available in Boots, independent health food stores and at mooncup.co.uk.

Contact details: Kath Clements, Campaigns and Marketing Manager – kath.clements@mooncup.co.uk


About St. Luke’s

Directors of the ad campaign - Independent co-owned communications agency, clients include: Littlewoods, Very.co.uk, Strongbow, Mayor of London, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and Majestic Wine Warehouse.

Contact details: Olivia Wilmshurst-Smith, Account Manager – osmith@stlukes.co.uk

                               

Friday 1 March 2013

Do you know what this is?

(PhD Studentship available at AUB http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/PhD-Studentship)

MoDiP has the kind of collection that you may think you are very familiar with. We have objects which we all use every day, and some pieces which are more unusual. 


By looking at this distorted image are you able to guess what the object is? What do you think it could be used for?








Post your answer in the comments below or find out more about the object by looking at the MoDiP catalogue.


Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)