Job Press Studio, handpainted piggy bank. Courtesy Millennium Galleries
James Murphy measures up some ergonomic kitchenware and admires some dashing design at Sheffield Millennium Galleries.
With an awesome selection of modern design from across the continent the European Design Show at Sheffield’s Millennium Galleries is an exhibition of style, innovation and sophistication.
Exhibiting the cream of European design and exploring its history and future directions, the show runs to August 28 2006.
Williams Murray Hammis, Mcvities Jaffa Cake packaging. Courtesy Millennium Galleries
Upon entering the cool space of the elegant Millennium Galleries you are at once confronted by a marvel of modern design, a Formula One racing car.
From its sleek body to its high performance engine and bespoke tyres everything about this car is custom designed to optimum specifications. Glistening on its plinth one can almost imagine the wind rushing over its aerodynamic bodywork – even those not enamoured by motor sports cannot deny the vehicle’s grace.
The exhibition is loosely divided into themed areas, for instance The Kitchen and The Media Room. The latter is crammed full of magazines, brochures and books from designers across Europe, some familiar, others not. The breadth of styles and forms is amazing, ranging from the simple and minimalist to extravagant and the downright outrageous.
Jasper Morrison, Rowenta kettle. Courtesy Millennium Galleries
At another point in the exhibition is a cased display of books, record sleeves and postcards, all of which closer resemble ideas of art than design. The most interesting examples are a series of cover designs from Penguin books, each unique to the individual book.
As well as graphic art, computer aided and printed design, there is much else on offer here. Videos and multimedia exhibits include Fisher Mazes, a video project exploring the work of Europe’s pre-eminent maze designer Adrian Fisher.
Michael Cross and Julie Mathias, Flood, 2004. Courtesy Millennium Galleries
The exhibition emphasises the diversity of design and its ability to influence the way we live. Several objects on show, especially those in the Kitchen section highlight the potential of well conceived and crafted design to make our lives more efficient, easier and enjoyable. Jasper Morrison’s elegant Rowenta appliances, collapsible drinks cartons and funky cat baskets - the ultimate in chic living is on show here.
Not everything exhibited serves an obvious function, however – an example of design for design’s sake stands at the centre of it all. British designers Michael Cross’ and Julie Mathias’ creation Flood confounds the common sense adage that water and electricity don’t mix. The series of shining light bulbs suspended in enormous test tubes of water provide a beautiful and transfixing spectacle whilst challenging the boundaries of expectation.
