A Compendium of Everyday Genius

By Alice Rawsthorn for the New york Times

In this article by Alice Rawsthorn, she comments on the upcoming exhibition of the Vitra Design Museum- Hidden Heroes: The Genius of Everyday Things- opening 20 August.

The exhibition will showcase designs of everyday useful inventions such as the corkscrew and coat hangers.  Other inventions included are paper clips, clothespins, egg cartons, and velcro.

Rawsthorn interviews Jochen Eisenbrand, the curator for the exhibition, and he states "...every designer dreams of making - very simply, very ingenious items that we use on a daily basis...They've continued to exist for decades without changing very much..."

She draws attention to the fact that the inventions included have been designed by a variety individuals both expert and amateur.  Each being designed in different ways either out of need or simply sudden inspirational ideas.

Rawsthorn further alludes to other similar exhibitions from the past and our own fascination with these familiar items being lifted to the level of museum exhibitions.   She also notes the modesty of "Hidden Heroes" at a time when viewers have become bored of "Design-with-a-capital-D."

The article is a unique description and analysis on the exhibition and our own obsession with everyday design.

READ FULL ARTICLE.