Having newly started as the Museum Engagement Officer at
MoDiP, I knew the job would have a strong focus on the significance of
plastics, but I didn’t realise quite how this would change my everyday
perception of the material and my attitude towards it.
With a background of conservation and a love for all things
natural, surely, I would feel like a fish out of water? Little did I know…
Who knew? That Plastics can be natural and/or derived from
organic material.
Who knew? That Plastics are sourced, used and reused
sustainably on many levels.
Who knew? That Plastics represent the democratic material
group – accessible for all.
With this positivity in mind, I am starting this role with
an ethical, upbeat spring in my step, relishing the opportunity to spread the
word. I even wrote a poem about it:
Plastics of Our Time
Plastic is natural
Rubber and amber
Come take a gander
Plastic is veggie
Cotton, cane and corn
Made from this form
Plastic is artful
Dress and accessary
Design a necessity
Plastic is useful
Essential…and flighty
Please use it wisely
Everywhere I go now, I can’t help but notice plastic - the
use, the aesthetics, the essential need for it every day, everywhere for
everybody. Instead of the negative
narrative that plastics have attracted of late (due to our own thoughtless,
throwaway culture of single use plastic), a new positive picture is gradually being
painted. Yes, as humans, we mess things
up, but also, as humans, we make things better and learn from our mistakes.
One thing is for sure, we are essentially creative beings, and
plastic is something that has to be created. Every plastic item has to be thought
up, designed and produced. The only restriction of making items out of plastic,
is the limit of our imagination.
So, let’s celebrate acetate, bask in the Bakelite and party on
in all things PVC…!
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| Celebrate
Acetate with these crazy, colourful shoes. https://www.modip.ac.uk/artefact/aibdc-007985 |
 |
| Bask
in the Bakelite of this illuminated, darning aid from the 40s.
|
 |
| Party
on in PVC – in fact it is just the hidden ‘spacers’ on these glasses that are
PVC, but they are crucial for holding it all together while on the dance floor.
|
To arrange a visit – whether you’re an internal or external
group – please email:
Julia Pulman (Museum Engagement Officer)
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