The Wow Factor of Objects in the Exhibition “From the World to the Museum”
Bench 100pies, 2009. Rafel Oliva and Cristian Montesinos
Orthodontic tool Carrière Distalizer MB, 2009. Luis Carrière
Flying Carpet, 2002. Emiliana Design Studio
Ice tongs, 1964. André Ricard
Muntem una exposició, "Let's Build an Exhibition' s" starting point is a base of three thematic axises which provide students with all the necessary tools they need to conceive and mount their own exhibition. These thematic axises: the objective, which is a document that defines and gives the reason for the exhibition; the collection, which is voluntary classification of some objects that, in accordance with the theme of the exhibition, acquire a specific meaning; and the exhibition which presents and highlights objects and collections in a space so that the public may know, understand, and enjoy them.
During the first session, work is focussed on everyday objects which are treated as cultural material. The first question students are asked is: What do objects tell us? And during their visit of the exhibition From the World to the Museum they find answers to the question: Why are these objects in the Museu del Disseny collections?
One of the activities that we proposed to 7th grade students at Quatre Cantons Highschool was to choose an object from a new field for the exhibition based on Xènia Viladàs statement: "A well-designed object has something that is called the wow factor, it is what happens when we see something and we exclaim something aloud in admiration that summarizes our appreciation for the aesthetics and the concept at the same time."
The majority of students agreed on many of the objects chosen for their wow factor. One of the most successful was the 100pies Bench, by Rafel Oliva and Cristian Montesinos. Everyone saw very clearly that the hole in the cork was for cats and dogs to use. What an ideal bench to share with your pets! Other objects that everyone agreed had a wow factor were, the Flying carpet by Emiliana Design and the Ice Tongs d’André Ricard. One of the objects that really affected the adolescents was the Carriere Distalizer MB orthodontic tool, by Luis Carrière. Why would that be?
Educational Services, Museu del Disseny de Barcelona