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Post-its, paper clips and ball-point pens are not the first things a person usually thinks about when hearing the word "masterpiece."
The exhibition "Humble Masterpieces - Everyday Marvels of Design," now at Seoul Arts Center, however, challenges visitors to look at them in a new light. The free-of-charge show is organized by the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Paola Antonelli, the senior curator of MoMA`s Department of Design and Architecture, visited Seoul on Wednesday to promote the exhibition. Antonelli is known as one of the world`s best design experts, and was recently included in "The Power 100" list of "Art Review."
"Everyday we use dozens of tiny objects, but we do not pay them much attention," Antonelli told the press. "But although modest in size and price, some of these objects are true masterpieces of the art and design, and deserve our admiration."
Antonelli first held the exhibition in 2004 in a warehouse in Queens, New York, while the MoMA building was under renovation. The budget was tight and no pamphlets were prepared, but the exhibition turned out a success. It showcased several times more in the United States and in Europe after that, but this is the first time in Asia.
In an effort to provide visitors with marvelous stories behind these little objects, MoMA did a lot of research.
"Some items with famous back stories were easy to collect, but for some, it took about a year. But it was all worth it," Antonelli said with a grin.
The rule was to pick something that is inexpensive, acquirable somewhere in the world, well-designed, and environment-friendly. It also helps if it has an interesting story behind it.
"When you explain the stories behind them they are even more beautiful," Antonelli said. "Did you know that the hole in the Bic Pen cap is there so that you won`t suffocate when you swallow it by mistake?"
Antonelli said the story behind the "I § NY" logo was her favorite. "I love it because it came out of necessity. In the 1970s, New York was under economic crisis. The city was dirty and there were no tourists. An ad company was hired to promote the city, and there, the famous graphic designer Milton Glaser just scribbled `I § NY` on a paper. The city did not license it, hoping that it could be used everywhere in the world for free."
Antonelli has also found some unique designs in Korea.
"T-money is something I definitely want," Antonelli said. "The suggestion box we put in at the New York exhibition was so overflowing with suggestions that it had to be replaced every three days. Let me know about Korean designs so that I can include them in the next exhibition."
Antonelli expects that this exhibition will be a way people can understand designs from a new perspective.
"People know designs and love designs. You just have to show designs in another way, with respect," she said.
Antonelli has another personal hope. "After seeing the exhibition, I hope children will come home, go into the kitchen and say `do you realize that we have a museum at home already?`"
"Humble Masterpieces -Everyday Marvels of Design" runs through Dec. 31 at the Hangaram Art Museum at Seoul Arts Center. For more information, visit www.sac.or.kr
By Park Min-young
(claire@heraldm.com)
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