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Artist Camille Walala in the Design Museum: gift shop as a supermarket
Photo: Justin Tallis / AFP
The London Design Museum has found a trick how it can open despite the existing Corona regulations: unlike in normal museums, visitors to this museum are allowed to touch and buy the works of art on display.
The museum's gift shop was simply declared the “world's largest supermarket designed by artists”.
Actually, museums in England have to remain closed until at least May 17th - while fitness clubs, hairdressers and pubs are already open again. But in the Design Museum in West London, everyday products such as rice and coffee as well as face masks are lovingly designed and packaged by up-and-coming artists - and offered for sale. The proceeds from the five-day “supermarket campaign”, which runs until Sunday, are intended for artists and designers.
In the words of museum director Tim Marlow, the exhibition should also ask questions about what is considered essential in life. Since April 12th, the sale of so-called non-essential goods has been permitted again in England. “Isn't creativity essential?” Asks Marlow: “It's also about who benefits, who sponsors, and about exchange as well as about culture.” With its new concept, the museum points to the “fun element”. Non-essential service providers are likely to reopen long ago, while the museums would have to continue to wait.
Museums aren't just about "spectacles," says Marlow.
“We are looking for solutions to the problems that we will face after the pandemic.” The participating artist Camille Walala also says: “Creativity is everywhere.” The Design Museum is a “nice platform” because it offers art in everyday form.
"People buy this and keep it as an affordable form of art."
feb / AFP
