Storytelling Has a New Medium at the V&A

"Cinderella Table" Jeroen Verhoeven 2005 Lent by Carpenters Workshop Gallery, London Image from: http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/telling-tales/exhibition.html

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is dedicating a show to contemporary design. From July 14 through October 18 Telling Tales will set the stage for international designers to explore the boundaries between furniture, design, art and fantasy. The exhibit will showcase designers such as Tord Boontje, Maarten Baas, Jergen Bey and Studio Job. “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.”

“The exhibition is in three sections: The Forest Glade is inspired by fantasy and nature evoking the spirit of fairytales. The Enchanted Castle exaggerates and parodies historical design styles often associated with displays of status. Heaven and Hell is concerned with themes of mortality and the afterlife.”

"Bath Boat" by Wieki Somers Lent by Galerie Kreo, Paris Image from: http://www.vam.ac.uk/microsites/telling-tales/exhibition.html

The full exhibit won’t be online until mid July, however just to tease us a little V&A’s website has some select pieces up already. Come out for a bedtime story and revel in your childhood fantasies with inventive international fabricators of stories and art.

-Brittany Maguire