Did you know? #9

Did you know that our current exhibition, and all our past exhibitions, can be found on our website? www.modip.ac.uk/exhibitions-events

To date we have covered a wide variety of topics all with a plastic thread running through them.  

Is that plastic? skeuomorphs and metaphors in design

Our current exhibition explores the way plastics can imitate other materials and can be moulded to resemble any object.

Polymorphia

This exhibition looked at the most common types of plastics that visitors may encounter.

10 most wanted

This exhibition celebrated 10 Most Wanted, an online detective game played with objects in museum collections, inspired by the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.

MyPlastic/

MyPlastic/ was a collaborative project with the Arts University's marketing team.  The resulting videos were the plastic stories of designers, humanitarian documentary makers, scenographers, animators, monster makers, academics and astronauts. Stories of objects that are loaded with emotions, memories and meaning.

Beastly designs


This exhibition explored the ways in which designers working in plastics have exploited the distinctive features of animals to enhance the functionality of products.  It also looked at aspects of bio-mimetic design and demonstrates the potential of plastics to imitate luxury materials derived from animals and, thus, how plastics help to save endangered species.

Plastics for gold

This exhibition focuses on plastics in relation to the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.  It was granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Work, rest and play with plastics


This exhibition explores some of the ways plastics have enabled us to conduct our lives in a more comfortable, efficient, colourful and safe environment than we might without them.

You can do it with plastics…

You can do it with plastics looked at the relationship between material and design in relation to plastics and how the contribution of plastics is distinct from that of other materials.

Nature's plastic

Horn is a natural thermoplastic substance which means that when heated to a certain temperature it becomes pliable. With little work it can be made into objects which exploit the natural shape of horn, or by the application of heat and/or pressure it can be manipulated to form a wide variety of objects such as spectacle frames, combs and cutlery. It can be carved, engraved, or simply polished to enhance the natural beauty of the material.

Substitute: animal vegetable mineral

Plastics are unusually versatile materials. As a result they can act as substitutes in different ways for a vast range of other materials. For example, they can imitate the appearance of other materials and fulfil the role of other materials without necessarily resembling them.

Spotlight on…

In this exhibition, MoDiP put the spotlight on the work of designers and familiar companies whose use of plastic has been significant in the products we showcase. Shunning the ‘poor relation’ attitude to plastic, seemingly no expense has been spared in the production of high quality, well designed products with plastics playing the starring role.

Encore! re:formed plastics

This exhibition took a look at the imaginative alternative solutions to landfill and incineration as the final destination of our unwanted plastics. It considered some of the ways we can lessen the impact modern life has on the environment by innovative uses of design in plastic. It looks at the imaginative ways plastics are given a new life and how in their recycled form they can become a thing of beauty and of how from the ashes of mass production a work of art can emerge. Transformed beyond recognition plastics can be given a new identity. Where they once began life as a container for liquids, repurposed they can become an insulating fibre for the home or the body.

Winning with plastics

Plastics have contributed dramatically to sporting achievement. They have improved the potential of sports equipment; they have helped to streamline athletes' bodies; they have enabled their muscles to be kept at the optimum temperature for optimum performance; and they have reduced injury. This exhibition explores the reasons why.

The plastics invasion

This exhibition explores the rise, and rise of plastics from 1900, the decade in which the first synthetic plastic was invented, to the present…and on into the future. The timeline places the development of plastics in the context of national and world events.

In 1900 there were only a few types of plastic and now there are tens of thousands. Since 1976 plastic, in its variety of types, has had more uses than any other material in the world.
In the early decades it tends to imitate the forms and appearance of other materials but gradually new forms, building on the potential of plastic, begin to appear and colour becomes a key player in the design.

Eat in or take out: Plastics for portability

When it comes to snacking and eating on the move, you cannot beat plastic. The nature of the material means that it is cheap to make, highly disposable, light to carry, durable and insulating.

With the invention of plastics, and subsequent advances in technology, munching away from the table has never been so simple.

Ways of seeing plastics

This was the first exhibition to be mounted since plastics became the museum's focus. The exhibition presents different approaches to the study of products made of plastic.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Back to school with MoDiP

Recently we went back to school. It was so very different to my school days when we all sat at our desks in neat and tidy rows, two by two, and kept our heads down for fear of being ‘chosen’ to contribute to the lesson. Earlier this month we visited the delightful St. Marks Primary School Talbot Village, our nearest primary school neighbours. We had been asked to contribute to their project on toys by taking in some old toys from our collections. We took a selection of about 15 which we thought might interest them. The children we saw were around 6 years old and to help them understand the concept of time passing we explained that the toy we were holding up was made when their grandparents were children for example, or indeed, their teacher. Many of the toys have been re-invented a few times so even though they might have been made in the 1970s, they were still familiar to today’s generation. Mr. Potato Head for instance first made an appearance in the early 1950s as a set of plastic features – provide your own potato. By 1964 a plastic potato was included in the set and in 1995 he made an appearance in the Disney/Pixar film Toy Story. The idea of sticking things into a real potato to make a face was a great hit with the children. 

Mr Potato Head AIBDC : 004826

The toy typewriter met with the usual chorus of ‘It’s a computer’. We were intending for them all to have a go at typing their names on an old portable I found, but time was against us and we had to save that delight for another day. 

Petite Typewriter PHSL : 15

Katherine, my colleague, really found her feet with this visit. Being a Mum herself meant that she knew just the right way to talk to the children and to hold their attention. They were responsive and beautifully behaved and the hour we spent with each class flew by. In spite of the interruption of a fire drill, (very impressive school evacuation) we managed to get through most of the toys we took. Sadly, the Transformer Soundwave did not come out of the box. I had spent much of the previous afternoon brushing up on how to transform it from a cassette player into an Evil Decepticon, and back again, with the apparent ease of a 6 year old. I had just about got it off to a fine art, but we ran out of time and all too soon the bell rang for lunch and the Transformer came back with us un-opened and un-transformed. 

Transformer Soundwave AIBDC : 00185

Sharing our collection with schools is always great fun and very rewarding. They are a willing audience and it is always good to think of our objects from the perspective of young children. Thank you to St. Mark’s School for inviting us in. Hope to see you again next year perhaps.

Pam Langdown (Collections Manager)

BXL photographic archive #0073

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 the 'new' satchel bag packing method.

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--162918

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)

What could this be?

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 to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Twitter reviews

Level 4 Visual Communications students visited our current exhibition, Is that plastic?, as part of their Introduction to Visual Thinking.

Their brief asked them to think about the exhibition in the following ways :

Research terms

• Define the word Skeuomorph
• What is the etymology of the word skeuomorph?
• What is a Metaphor?

Visit the Skeuomorphs exhibition in MoDiP

• Take time to view the entire exhibition.
• Which is your favourite object and why?
• If what is on display is a careful selection of objects, what does that tell you about the collection as a whole?
• Write a tweet review of the exhibition.

The idea of a Twitter review intrigued me. I can’t imagine trying to sum up an exhibition and how I feel about it in just 140 characters. It does sound like a brilliant challenge though.

 

 # Some really interesting objects - cool seeing how textures and designs evolve over time.

# A very interesting collection of objects #MoDiP #Unique 

# Everything looks so real I actually mistook one piece for a real object #MoDiP #AUB #VisCom

# Interesting selection of diverse objects at the MoDiP skeuomorph exhibition #itsplasticitsfantastic

# I never knew how much plastic has developed and how far the history goes back until I took a visit to the MoDiP museum today #MoDiP 

 # The exhibition has a unique selection of art but its not my cup of tea

# #interestingexhibition #plastic

# I noticed that most things in the collection were collectables & being made to look like china but were realistically plastic.

# I cant believe its all plastic #yolo

# They don't look like plastic at all

# A very interesting collection of objects #MoDiP #Unique

 # MoDiP really opened my eyes to how much plastic has developed

# Surprising collection of plastic at MoDiP 

 # The exhibition is not really attractive at first but actually if you look at everything it's pretty awesome and I would actually buy some stuff there #modip #aub #plasticexhibition

  

# Massive variety of objects. Didn't realise how many objects use plastic and imitate different materials #plasticbombastic

# MoDiP plastics #youneverknow

# Life changing #lol

# #isthatplastic #cheekyplastic #plasticillusion creating illusions with plastic is an

 interesting concept!

# Some of it makes you do a double take #modipaub

 # A really interesting and inspiring collection #plastic #history #collection #aub #viscom

 # MoDiP: Plastic is deceiving; a master of disguise #mistrust

Thank you to all the students who reviewed the exhibition.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

BXL photographic archive #0072

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 toe spacers.

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--13881

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)

Guess the object

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 to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Visual Thinking

This week, as an Introduction to Visual Thinking, BA (Hons) Visual Communications 
level 4 students were asked to carry out object analysis on a variety of objects from the collection.

The activity was based on a generic object analysis form available to download from www.modip.ac.uk/resources/learning_activities/object_analysis and adapted to the learning needs of the particular students by Senior Lecturer, Sarah James. 

Initially the students were asked to describe the visual appearance of the objects by thinking about, and responding to, the following:

• Measure (or estimate) the object’s dimensions.
• What does the object look like e.g. Rectilinear form with a hollow casing, with opening on one side….etc..
• What colours are present? e.g. Body colour beige with details in green with red accents.
• What visual elements are present? e.g Repeat patterns of floral motif? Dynamic text expressive of the product…?
• What text elements are present? Are they purely informative or symbolic?
• Can you describe the types of plastics the object is made from? (do you know any specific types, e.g Nylon fibre, Perspex, acrylic, leatherette)
• Are there any other materials present in the construction? e.g Metal, glass, natural fibre?
• What does the object feel like? e.g Smooth? Silky? Fragile?
• What techniques are involved in the objects construction? e.g Weaving, printing, embossing, lamination)? 
• Photograph or sketch the object. Attach to sheet or in notebooks. Keep analysis sheet in the same place. What do you think (or know) the object is? 

Moving on to make some deductions about the object and its intended use:

• When do you think the object was made?
• Who do you think designed or made the object? e.g The end user (homemade), a mass manufacturer, an exclusive design company? Document any manufacturers mark or name.
• Where do you think the object was made?
• Who do you think the object was for?
• On what occasion do you think the object would have been used and by whom?
• Where do you think the object was bought or sold?
• How much do you think the object would have cost?
• What other questions do you have about the object? 

 
Lastly, they thought about Gaze theory and how objects make you feel.

• Gaze Theory: Jacques Lacan developed the psychoanalytical theory known as the mirror stage: IE. That as infants, once we have recognised our reflection in a mirror we understand that we have an external appearance, and are forever more acting in the knowledge that we can be seen. He extended this to objects, in what is known as Gaze Theory. Put very simply, when we encounter an object (chair, shoes, table etc) it makes us realise that we too are objects. In material culture, we use our relation to objects to define and express ourselves. We can be intimidated, inspired or flattered by the objects we encounter.
• How would owning the object make you feel?
• If you were the sort of person who happily owned the object what do you think it would say about you?

This work then lead the students onto researching for imagery to place their objects into historical context.

This process could be adapted to suit a variety of courses looking at visual critical theory. Other Teaching and Learning activities can be found on our website http://www.modip.ac.uk/resources/teaching

I would like to thank Sarah James and her students for using the collection in such an interesting and engaging way.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

BXL photographic archive #0071

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 first aid kit 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--16317

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)

What are these?

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 to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

BXL photographic archive #0070

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 film projector.

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--16314

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)

Guess the object

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 to find the answer click here and you will be taken to the MoDiP catalogue.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

MoDiP Student Creative

Please note the museum will be closed from 30th Sept and reopen 3rd Oct 2014.

We're looking for a MoDiP Student Creative

Would you like to be MoDiP’s first AUB Student Creative?
Fancy the opportunity to get up close and personal with a museum collection?
Want to see your work on display and inspire others?
 
Here’s your chance. We welcome applications from all disciplines

For more information contact modip@aub.ac.uk
Closing date: 17th October 2014


Further information can be found below or email MoDiP for a PDF version.


Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)


 
MoDiP Student Creative Brief

Introduction
The aim of the MoDiP Student Creative is to offer all students at the AUB an opportunity to create a work inspired by the MoDiP collection. This could be in any discipline with any creative outcome from physical art work to film or acting production.

Background
MoDiP is the only accredited museum in the UK with a focus on plastics. It is the UK's leading resource for the study and interpretation of design in plastics. Our mission is to increase understanding and appreciation of the use and significance of plastics in design during the 20th and 21st century.

MoDiP’s purpose is to collect, research, interpret and present artefacts made of, or including components of, plastics, and thus add unique value to the Arts University Bournemouth as a learning resource, a resource for collaborative, experimental and interdisciplinary research, and as a gateway to the AUB’s wider environment.

Outcomes
The outcome of this project can be within any discipline working with any material but the work must be inspired by the MoDiP collection or its processes and working practice and in line with its mission and purpose (www.modip.ac.uk/about-us). Depending on the medium, the work will be displayed in cases in the library and / or featured on all of our social media.

Terms and Conditions

Creative’s work

• MoDiP and / or its plastics collection should be at the heart of the project
• The applicant should expect to spend time looking at the collection and / or talking to the MoDiP team
• The applicant could work in any discipline (they would not have to work in plastics)
• The applicant should be prepared to have work displayed at the end of the project and to describe how they have been inspired by MoDiP
• The applicant will need to give regular updates to the MoDiP team on progress (to ensure deadlines will be met and that the work can be physically displayed)

Support and administration
Support for the project will be provided by MoDiP’s Collection Manager, Pam Langdown.
Digital support will be provided by MoDiP’s Assistant Curator, Louise Dennis.
Project administration will be provided by the MoDiP Administrator, Katherine Pell.

Timescale
The successful applicant will be appointed on 30th October 2014, it is expected that the work will be completed and ready for display on 13th March 2015.

Bursary
A £250 bursary (including material costs) will be paid to the successful candidate to facilitate the project. Up to 50% (£125) of the bursary can be claimed during the project as material costs are incurred. The remainder will be paid on completion.

Monitoring and evaluation
The resident will be expected to keep the MoDiP team updated with progress reports on a regular basis (to be agreed). This could be either through email including images, or face-to-face.

It is expected that the candidate will write 3 blog posts during the process – complete with images. The first will be a plan for the work, the second being a progress report, and the third showing the work and an overview of the project.

The experience
We expect you to work in a professional manner, engaging with both the collection and the staff of MoDiP. This is an opportunity to have your work published or displayed within a museum setting.

The project can be included in your portfolio of work to show future employers or clients. It will demonstrate working creatively to a deadline and experience of working with real clients.

Reference
Appointment will be subject to approval and written support from your tutor.

How to Apply
To apply please submit a proposal of 300-500 words with expected outcomes including how you intend to use the collection. Please include images of some of your previous work.


Closing date: 17th October 2014
Email contact: modip@aub.ac.uk with ‘Creative in Residence’ in the subject box
Interview and an opportunity to show Portfolio: 29th October 2014
When we will let you know: 30th October 2014

If you would like more information or an informal discussion about the project please contact the MoDiP team by email modip@aub.ac.uk