A different view #43

There are many ways to look at the objects in the MoDiP collection.  With this series of posts I want to highlight the interesting views of objects that we may ordinarily miss.  These include the underside of an object, the surface pattern, or traces of manufacturing processes.

Title: Diet scale
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: QVC
Object number: AIBDC : 001328

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)

BXL photographic archive #0113

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 Herald airline.

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--09691

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)

Did you know? #50

Did you know that all of our past exhibitions are available online?

MyPlastic/ 

The MyPlastic/ project shines a new light on this material by exploring the often highly personal relationship we have with it.

From a therapeutic salad spinner that whirrs like a train. To a cheap garden chair that becomes a sanctuary in a burned out compound in the Congo. To a penguin deity that feeds off plankton and brews the best beer, ever.

These are 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.

Louise Dennis (Assisant Curator)

We're looking for an AUB Student Creative

Would you like to be the next MoDiP 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.

Have a look at Sarah Wilson’s work from last year.

For more information see below or contact modip@aub.ac.uk
Closing date: 25th November 2016


Katherine Pell (MoDiP Administrator)


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 2nd December 2016, it is expected that the work will be completed and ready for display on 17th April 2017.

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: 25th November 2016
 
Email contact: modip@aub.ac.uk with ‘Student Creative’ in the subject box
Interview and an opportunity to show Portfolio: 30th November 2016
When we will let you know: 2nd December 2016
 
If you would like more information or an informal discussion about the project please contact the MoDiP team by email modip@aub.ac.uk

A different view #42

There are many ways to look at the objects in the MoDiP collection.  With this series of posts I want to highlight the interesting views of objects that we may ordinarily miss.  These include the underside of an object, the surface pattern, or traces of manufacturing processes.

Title: AirPro Baseball bump cap
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Centurion Safety Products
Object number: AIBDC : 007104

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

Now showing

Flora

For millions of years plants have been evolving and adapting to the environment and can be found living all across the planet from the driest deserts to in and around water.  They have developed a range of survival strategies: some grow tall towards the sunlight, some have fleshy leaves to store water for times of drought whilst others have elaborate flowers to attract insects and birds to aid with pollination.  The diverse and often beautiful plant kingdom has unsurprisingly been the inspiration for artists, designers and architects.

 

This exhibition explores how the shapes of flowers, fruits, nuts, vegetables, trees and leaves, aquatic and desert plants, grasses and grains, have inspired designers, working in plastics, to create products which are functional, decorative, practical and sometimes humorous.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

MoDiP closed

The museum will be closed from 16.00 today (Friday 7th October) until Friday 14th October whilst we get ready for our new exhibition.

Coming soon: Flora

For millions of years plants have been evolving and adapting to the environment and can be found living all across the planet from the driest deserts to in and around water.  They have developed a range of survival strategies: some grow tall towards the sunlight, some have fleshy leaves to store water for times of drought whilst others have elaborate flowers to attract insects and birds to aid with pollination.  The diverse and often beautiful plant kingdom has unsurprisingly been the inspiration for artists, designers and architects.

This exhibition explores how the shapes of flowers, fruits, nuts, vegetables, trees and leaves, aquatic and desert plants, grasses and grains, have inspired designers, working in plastics, to create products which are functional, decorative, practical and sometimes humorous.

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)

A different view #41

There are many ways to look at the objects in the MoDiP collection.  With this series of posts I want to highlight the interesting views of objects that we may ordinarily miss.  These include the underside of an object, the surface pattern, or traces of manufacturing processes.

Title: Cat and dog basket
Designer: Unknown
Manufacturer: Smit & Co
Object number: AIBDC : 006946

Louise Dennis (Assistant Curator)