Rather than the usual precious objects and costly fabrics, the V&A have put together a show that includes a graffiti-writing robot, a Suffragette tea service, cardboard placards, defaced currency and other ‘disobedient objects’ designed by protestors and activists from around the globe to support social change.
The scope
Most of the objects aren’t valuable in a monetary sense. In fact many were made with limited resources, from rubbish or other materials that were to hand, and often by non-professionals working collectively. They tell an alternative design history from the V&A’s usual exhibitions – one that starts from below, in grass roots social movements. They take us from South Africa, to Madrid, to India and London, telling us about some of the great acts of disobedience that have tried to resist injustice or change the world, and the role design played in these missions.
The objects
You’ll see makeshift gas masks designed to protect those at the 2013 Istanbul protestors when the police deployed tear gas, a display showing how badge designs helped spread solidarity for the anti-Apartheid cause around the world in the 1980s, and poignant Chilean folk textiles on which women documented the violence of the Pinochet regime and its effect on their lives and communities.
Resistance today
The final section of the exhibition zones in on protests during the last 30 years, and includes an inspirational infographic showing every protest since 1979. It’s particularly striking to see how in more recent times, protest groups and activists have adapted their designs to harness the power of online media. One example of many is Masasit Mati, who uses finger puppets to ridicule the Assad regime in his web-comedy series.
You’re unlikely to catch these objects again (they’re not really museum types) and the exhibition is completely free, so be sure to see these rebellious pieces while you can.
The scope
Most of the objects aren’t valuable in a monetary sense. In fact many were made with limited resources, from rubbish or other materials that were to hand, and often by non-professionals working collectively. They tell an alternative design history from the V&A’s usual exhibitions – one that starts from below, in grass roots social movements. They take us from South Africa, to Madrid, to India and London, telling us about some of the great acts of disobedience that have tried to resist injustice or change the world, and the role design played in these missions.
The objects
You’ll see makeshift gas masks designed to protect those at the 2013 Istanbul protestors when the police deployed tear gas, a display showing how badge designs helped spread solidarity for the anti-Apartheid cause around the world in the 1980s, and poignant Chilean folk textiles on which women documented the violence of the Pinochet regime and its effect on their lives and communities.
Resistance today
The final section of the exhibition zones in on protests during the last 30 years, and includes an inspirational infographic showing every protest since 1979. It’s particularly striking to see how in more recent times, protest groups and activists have adapted their designs to harness the power of online media. One example of many is Masasit Mati, who uses finger puppets to ridicule the Assad regime in his web-comedy series.
You’re unlikely to catch these objects again (they’re not really museum types) and the exhibition is completely free, so be sure to see these rebellious pieces while you can.
| What | Disobedient Objects, V&A |
| Where | V&A, South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL | MAP |
| Nearest tube | South Kensington (underground) |
| When |
26 Jul 14 – 01 Feb 15, 12:00 AM |
| Price | £Free |
| Website | Click here for more information |
