Norm = Form. Design and standardisation
Barbie on the beach / Photo: Foundation Design Den Haag
Our shoes, clothing, bicycles, printer paper - these are all objects that are standardised. Thanks to a plethora of unspoken agreements, nuts and bolts fit together. Although all the decisions we make appear to be personal, never before have so many products been copies of one and the same thing.
During the 20th century it is these benefits that have inspired designers such as Dieter Rams and Piet Zwart, manufacturers like Braun and Thonet and institutes such as Bauhaus to identify a standardisation system that permits the creation of attractive, durable but nevertheless affordable products. That said, our concept of a beautiful body or a meaningful product is constantly changing. Ultimately, culture determines the success of a new design standard. The "Norm = Form" exhibition reveals the world of standardisation, but also examines criticism of its achievements expressed by designers such as Maarten Baas and Joep van Lieshout.
Partner: "Norm = Form" is an initiative by Ed Annink (Foundation Design Den Haag) within the Den Haag Design and Government 2010 project. The exhibition was developed in cooperation with the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag and curator Timo de Rijk from Rotterdam.
"Norm = Form" is supported by the City of The Hague, the Mondriaan Foundation and DutchDFA.
Norm = Form.
Zollverein World Heritage Site, Shaft XII, Hall 5 (A5), Essen
August 28 - October 17, 2010
Wed – Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Unrestricted access
Free entrance
Further information:
www.designdenhaag.eu/en/normform-essen