A Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) Exhibition, in collaboration with TheGallery, AUB.
Date: 28 October - 22 December 2022
Location: Main Gallery, AUB
Exhibition overview
What does it mean to be ‘designated?’
In January 2022, AUB’s Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) was awarded Designated Outstanding Collection status by Arts Council England. This prestigious award recognises the objects in the museum’s care as forming a ‘collection of national importance’.
This exhibition is a visual representation of the national significance of the subject of the museum – design in plastics, the outstanding quality of the collection and its research value.
Designation Scheme
The Designation scheme, which has been running since 1997, celebrates exceptional collections and raises their profile nationally and internationally. It aims to reveal the strength of England’s leading collections and encourages the care and retention of the nation’s treasures.
MoDiP
Today, when many people think of plastics, the first thing that comes to mind is the negative impact they can have on the environment. Excessive packaging, unnecessary single-use products, and images of debris and waste in oceans, waterways, and streets are evocative.
Within the last 50 years, more things, and a greater variety, have been designed and made in plastics than in any other materials group. With no intrinsic form, texture or colour, plastics have released design from the constraints imposed by the inherent characteristics of traditional materials, such as wood and metal. This has enabled innovative methods of manufacture leading to colourful design filled with forms, textures and functionality that was previously unachievable.
No other collection in the world shares MoDiP’s focus on design in plastics. The collection provides a unique and outstanding resource for its study and narration. The museum is a specialist resource at AUB and can be found on the first floor of the library.
Meet the curators
Professor Susan Lambert
Chief Curator of Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP)
Dr Louise Dennis
Curator of Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP)
TheGallery and Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP)
TheGallery exhibitions, events, publications and projects; Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) exhibitions and collections contribute to Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth and the Southwest Cultural Community and beyond, and are accessible to everyone interested in the galleries and museums.
AUB’s two cultural assets work collaboratively to find new ways to connect with communities at and beyond the AUB. Through their own mission and purpose, TheGallery and the Museum of Design in Plastics come together to support learning, teaching, and research for all, as well as provide spaces for inspiration and contemplation.
Designated Design: A plastics collection of national importance (Private view)
Join MoDiP in TheGallery for the formal opening and private view of their latest exhibition
Designated Design: a plastics collection of national importance
Join MoDiP for an afternoon event and discover what Designation means, the value it brings to a variety of collections
