Plastic has long been seen as an innovative material for a better world. However, its drawbacks have also been known for years. Plastic plays a role in the lives of people around the world, that’s for sure.
The museum’s collection reflects the global spread and impact of plastic. Plastic did not decay and soon proved to be superior to other materials: it was cheap, malleable, available, preservative, and could easily be painted in different colours. Artists and designers experimented with the new material; the sky was the limit. This is reflected in our collection and the upcoming exhibition.
Although everyone in the world has come into contact with plastic, plastic has not had the same impact on everyone. This exhibition illustrates the different ways in which plastics have impacted the daily lives of people around the world.
The collection features local objects and stories from all continents and how they are inextricably linked to larger systems, such as consumer culture, politics, and development.
The exhibition highlights six themes: leasure time, behind the front door, in your closet, travelling, body and mind, and at work. How does plastic affect our well-being, leisure, or work? How does it influence the way we travel, dress, or dine with family? Each theme centres on a recognisable plastic icon. Icons that are recognised around the world and are appreciated in different ways. They are combined with iconic materials from the museum’s pre-plastic and plastic collections.
