If you’re heading to London, check out this arty exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum. It features some of 4’s favorite designers.

It’s an exhibition of limited-edition designs including work by Atelier Van Lieshout, Boym Partners and Studio Makkink & Bey. It’s running until 18th October 2009 and is definitely worth a visit.

The work on show is divided into three sections; the Forest Glade presents work inspired by fairytales, myths and nature, the Enchanted Castle displays objects usually associated with wealth and status that have been subverted, and the last section explores themes of mortality.

Each tells a tale through their use of decorative devices, historical allusions or choice of materials, sharing common themes such as fantasy, parody and a concern with mortality.

Above: The Fig Leaf wardrobe, 2008. Designed by Tord Boontje.

Against all the evidence of an industrialised, globalised, high-tech world (or perhaps because of it) some contemporary designers are retreating to the pastoral setting of fairy tales, myths and nature. In so doing they return us to our most primitive state. No doubt their designs are escapist, even naïve, and can be quite deliberately childlike.

 

Above: Flower Pyramid, 2008, Studio Job, © the artists. Courtesy of Royal Tichelaar Makkum Photo: Studio Marten Aukes.

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