no name design exhibition of 1000 objects at triennale design museum

no name design exhibition of 1000 objects at triennale design museum
image © designboom

no name design
triennale design museum, milan
on now through september 14th, 2014

‘no name design’ is an exhibition that celebrates 1000 objects that would otherwise be overlooked. each one has been selected by curator franco clivio because of their function, product type, formal qualities or the material from which they are made – ordinary things that from appearance could be considered featureless, but which are in fact steeped in technical and aesthetic qualities. presented under various category umbrellas – from measurement tools, drawing devices, small games and toys, eyewear, to items made primarily of natural materials – ‘no name design’ offers a survey of the ingenuity and intelligence of the anonymously mundane.

a ring sizer, C-clamps and small paper lantern are displayed
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presented at the triennale design museum, the ‘cabinet of curiosities’ gives credit to those design pieces which, though perhaps considered insignificant have made a big contribution to modifying and improving the quality of our lives.

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silvana annicchiarico, triennale design museum director says of the 1000 objects: ‘if they are viewed as ‘anonymous’, it is simply because of the enduring humanistic prejudice that considers everything that comes from the ‘mechanical arts’ as ‘vulgar’. in actual fact, the everyday objects that franco clivio has collected over the years constitute an amazing atlas of material culture: a repertoire that is striking not only for its technical perfection, performance and elegance, but also for its proud modesty. the hammers and knives, scissors and eyewear that clivio has selected, catalogued and collected, with the discipline and passion of an entomologist of things, make no claim to be ‘art’. and yet they are undoubtedly made ‘with art’. in other words, with understanding, passion and skill. still, it is clear that the very fact that they are admitted into a collection makes their undeniable beauty instantly recognizable: because beauty is indeed in the object itself, but also and especially in the eyes – in this case, those of franco clivio – of someone who has decided that this particular artefact is worthy of being placed alongside its peers. it thus becomes part of a set, worthy of being shown in a certain way. worthy, in other words, of being preserved and collected‘.

‘nature knows best’ looks at objects made from natural materials
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a ‘feather duster’
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tools of measurement – from rulers to a level
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‘blow by blow’ surveys various tools used for hammering
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‘my favorites’ brings forth a selection of objects which have been chosen for their simplicity and good form
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‘wire, a universal material’ presents a survey of objects such as a glove, and paper clip made from the flexible metal rod
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a small carrying case for matches
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‘consul’ the educated monkey which is used for teaching multiplication
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double-lens glasses
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small compact tape recorder
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exhibition view of the 1000 objects arranged within vitrines
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