The crisp white architecture of The High Museum captivated me as I made my way up the stairs leading towards the entrance. Not only did the exterior of the building impress me, but what was hidden behind the walls was a surprise of its own. Expectations in life often times lead to disappointment, but this exhibit was an example for the contrary. I was sent to the museum to see “European Design Since 1985: Shaping the New Century”, which I believed to be common paintings and sculptures from Europe over the last twenty-five years. These anticipations were soon to be proven wrong. I was greeted in the entranceway with multiple architecturally creative pieces, almost too interesting to be something as mundane as chairs (pictured on the right). The exhibit to follow was no disappointment. The collection consisted of household items designed with beauty and function in mind. Each lamp, decoration, shelving unit, and couch stood on its own rather than in a typical room set-up. Dish sets and vacuums became a centerpiece on display underneath the ceiling’s spotlights. The simplicity of each object’s job made each different form that much more beautiful. My favorite piece was a chair with a back in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears and cartoonish sneakers at the base of each chair leg. I had recently stated that I had a hard time finding beauty in everyday objects, yet in this exhibit I appreciated the curves, texture, and colors of things I could find in my home. The only piece I did not like was a human head shaped knife block with knives stuck in it at every angle. I didn’t really like the humor off the object and it was something I definitely would not want in my kitchen. Overall I was pleasantly surprised with the exhibit and The High Museum itself. This show did a beautiful job at proving that art can be found in many forms and I would recommend checking it out before it is gone!Image Citation:
Bevans, Christopher. Matthias Bengtsson - Slice Lounge Chair - 1999. Digital image. Christopherbevans.blogspot.com. Blogger. Web. 31 Aug. 2010. <http://christopherbevans.blogspot.com/2009/04/european-design-since-1985-shaping-new.html>.
