“FANTASTIC PLASTIC”

28TH SEPTEMBER 2007

The Design Collection Museum has re-launched as the Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP).  This new name is the beginning of a number of changes for one of the UK’s important specialist museums which houses a significant collection of contemporary plastics.

                                                                                         

The new team responsible for the museum is headed by Susan Lambert who joined the Institute and MoDiP earlier this year; she was previously Head of Contemporary Programmes at the V&A.  She commented “This is a really exciting time for the museum.  MoDiP has a unique collection that we want to share with all those interested in the fascinating area of plastics.  The world would be a very different place without them.  Our grant from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council enables us to work with large and small museums throughout the UK and abroad and elucidate the contribution of plastics to the lives we lead”.

 

MoDiP LogoMoDiP, which is located at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth, was originally established in 1988 as the Design Collection and became a registered museum in June 2001.  Its new name reflects its increased focus on plastics.

 

Comprising over 8500 items, MoDiP’s collection exists to support study and research at the Institute and elsewhere and to increase understanding of the significance of the role of plastics in design.

 

The collection includes design classics such as Raymond Loewy’s Perma Special Camera and Philippe Starck’s ‘La Marie’ Chair; it offers a diverse collection of 20th and 21st century items of everyday design including fashion and costume, printed ephemera, packaging, domestic design and other items representing popular culture.

 

Students from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth are actively encouraged to use MoDiP for a variety of research studies and practical projects; items from the collection are also available for loan to other museums and educational establishments.

 

MoDiP is playing a key role in a number of seminars to be held on Plastics later this year and aims to build knowledge and awareness of this subject area across educational establishments and creative industries alike.  More events are planned.