A most peculiar exhibition of objects is taking place in London this summer. Comprising art works, designs and personal ephemera from over 30 artists, designers and makers, some of the objects and their descriptions are fictional. Here’s the rub: it’s up to the viewer to decide which is which.
"We wanted to talk about a fascination with the everyday, the mundane, the ordinary," co-curator and furniture designer Carl Clerkin told CNN. "I feel like a really broad audience can come and understand what we're talking about."
Based on the history of Somerset House playing home to a number of societies, including the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Arts, in the 18th and 19th centuries, the exhibition proposes the revival of The Learned Society of Extra Ordinary Objects. The brainchild of Clerkin and artist Danny Clarke, this fictional society ostensibly existed from 1917 to 1973. The story goes that members would gather in a gin bar to play show and tell with unusual everyday objects and curios.
An immersive recreation of the society’s club room, replete with functioning gin bar for special events, sets the scene of the exhibition. British sculptor Richard Wentworth, ceramicist Richard Slee, Scottish-Indian artist Jasleen Kaur, jewellery-maker Hans Stofer, and furniture designer Max Frommeld are just some of the contributors to the collection of the society’s present-day revival. These include everyday objects, slightly hacked objects, found objects, and original art and design pieces.
Some of the descriptions and back stories are true, some are not, inspiring a lighthearted reflection on the role of narrative, storytelling, intention, truth and the suspension of disbelief in design and art. Speaking to Design Week, senior curator at Somerset House, Claire Catterall explained:
"We wanted to talk about a fascination with the everyday, the mundane, the ordinary," co-curator and furniture designer Carl Clerkin told CNN. "I feel like a really broad audience can come and understand what we're talking about."
Work by Neil Austin. Courtesy of artist.
An immersive recreation of the society’s club room, replete with functioning gin bar for special events, sets the scene of the exhibition. British sculptor Richard Wentworth, ceramicist Richard Slee, Scottish-Indian artist Jasleen Kaur, jewellery-maker Hans Stofer, and furniture designer Max Frommeld are just some of the contributors to the collection of the society’s present-day revival. These include everyday objects, slightly hacked objects, found objects, and original art and design pieces.
The Learned Society of Extra Ordinary Objects at Somerset House, London, until September 3. The show explores the extra ordinary possibilities of commonplace items through a fictional Learned Society. Courtesy of Somerset House.
“The boundaries between truth and fiction are very blurred in this exhibition. The point is to show that ordinary objects can have value and secret intrigue, through investigating the stories behind them. The most ordinary objects can be incredibly rich in meaning, and have emotional attachment ... We want to introduce the idea that objects might have a life of their own. Their functionality might include extraordinary possibilities you may not have thought of. The artists have drawn on the everyday to design new objects with surprising and playful narratives.”
Broom by Carl Clerkin. Courtesy of artist.
Ideal Standards by Jasleen Kaur. Courtesy of artist.
Installation view of Pinnocchio (2017) by Richard Slee, at The Learned Society of Extra Ordinary Objects at Somerset House, London, until September 3. Courtesy of Somerset House.
Installation view of How Long Is A Piece Of String by Hans Stofer at The Learned Society of Extra Ordinary Objects at Somerset House, London, until September 3. Courtesy of Somerset House.
The Learned Society of Extra Ordinary Objects at Somerset House, London, until September 3. The show explores the extra ordinary possibilities of commonplace items through a fictional Learned Society. Courtesy of Somerset House.
Waste Baskets by Richard Slee. Courtesy of artist and Hales Gallery.
Tray, Bell and Ball of String by Hans Stofer. Courtesy of artist.
Noir Table by Michael Marriott. Courtesy of artist.
