Blowing our own pTrumpet

Whether plastic or otherwise, maybe MoDiP does indeed need to be blowing its own trumpet a bit more than it has done of late – just like Lighthouse, Poole, has been doing during 2018, to celebrate its 40th birthday.

pTrumpet

As we launch into 2019, we reflect on how MoDiP has played an important part in inspiring young people to think creatively outside the proverbial plastic box.

One great – if we do say so ourselves – example of this is when we hosted pupils from Ferndown Middle School for a drawing session at MoDiP back in November, under the expert eye of Martin Brown, illustrator of the infamous Horrible Histories. 

Martin Brown outside MoDiP

We showcased objects from the MoDiP collection that epitomised artists and performances that had appeared at Lighthouse, Poole over the last 40 years.

Objects that were selected from MoDiP’s collection included:

‘The pTrumpet, the 2016 winner of the Horner's Award for Plastics Innovation and Design -the world's first fully plastic trumpet with fully plastic valves and adjustable tuning slides. Made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) the trumpet, at 500g, is less than half the weight of a brass trumpet yet very durable.’ 

'A cream-coloured British Telecom telephone circa 1980s. The telephone is made of injection moulded ABS with a transparent acrylic dial.'

‘A 1990s AM/FM radio in the shape of a classic microphone and stand with 'On the Air' sign across the top, as well as dials for volume and tuning along with a headphone socket on the side of the round black base. This radio was manufactured in China using injection moulded polystyrene.’

‘A pair of men's lace-up platform shoes.’ 

Objects from the collection

The trumpet represents the BSO performances at the Lighthouse.

The telephone represents the type of telephone at the Lighthouse that apparently Michael Jackson used while he was there for a concert.

The microphone shaped radio represents the many iconic microphones favoured by George Michael, who also performed at the Lighthouse, and

The platform shoes represent pop groups like Slade, who also performed at the Lighthouse.

The pupils from Ferndown Middle School made detailed sketches of the objects, with the final pieces being exhibited at Lighthouse, Poole.

It was our colleagues at Widening Participation, AUB, who had asked us to host the drawing session at MoDiP, which enabled us to showcase objects from the collection and inspire these local school children - the future students of AUB - resulting in some truly unique and imaginative work.

So rather than just blowing our own trumpet, collaboration is definitely key in creating an impressive show – one that will hopefully be remembered just like the shows that have been performed at Lighthouse, Poole over the last 40 years.

Julia Pulman, Museum Engagement Officer.