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Exhibit celebrates zippers, chopsticks, everyday art

NEW YORK - Everyday objects, like the paper clips on your desk or the zipper keeping your pants up, can be examples of brilliant design, say the organizers of a new exhibit at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

By placing these objects among more traditional "masterpieces," curator Paola Antonelli wanted to show "how amazing and beautiful everyday objects are."

The Humble Masterpieces exhibit celebrates design over the centuries: from chopsticks, which were first created several thousand years ago, to a recently designed device that attaches to your shoes to keep you from falling on ice.

The items featured -- including M&M candies, light bulbs, a no-spill chopping board, a plastic coffee cup lid, a bar code, and a Rubik's Cube -- sit in display cases alongside text panels that explain their background. Half of the approximately 120 items shown already existed in the museum's collection, while others are being considered for acquisition.

"People tend to think of design as decoration, as expensive items, as something that adds luxury to your life," Antonelli told the Associated Press.

"It doesn't need to be expensive and you already use great design every day," she said. "You just have to look around you."

While there are no plans to add to the current display, the exhibit includes a suggestion book, in which visitors can suggest items they feel could be included.

Humble Masterpieces continues at the Museum of Modern Art through Sept. 27.

Posted by thinkum at April 9, 2004 03:43 PM