Objects and furniture that save space, save energy and are easy to use. Just look around – at home, at work, in your pocket – and you will see we are surrounded by high quality design. Design that in other words makes daily life easier and satisfies our needs. This is the message of the exhibition “Alehop!”, one of a number of initiatives organised during the year of design in Barcelona, curated by Emili Padrós. At the palace of Virreina is a presentation of a highly personal selection of 300 pieces which can be added to (it is hoped) by anyone wishing to express their own ideas.

The collection is also “an excuse”, explains Padrós to see how the relationship between people and objects works, reflecting different ways of living and observing reality, and discovering infinite rituals, hobbies, cultures and lifestyles”.

Design as invention is not just for big names – names such as Castiglioni, Munari, Magistretti, Mari, Grcic, Santachiara couldn’t be omitted – that have made everyday objects inspiration for their best pieces; it is also fruit of the invention of the “man on the street”, of the designer who remains anonymous and hidden by objects in widespread use.

To complete the exhibition is a nice catalogue (published by Electa) with contributions from not just the curator but also Juli Capella who conceived the overall event, Terence Riley curator for design at MoMA in New York. His curious top ten ranges from the drawing pin and the credit card to the lego brick and clothes peg – large and small objects which have changed our lives.

until 1.6.2003
Alehop! Designs, ingenious things & remedies
Palau de la Virreina (Institut de Cultura de Barcelona)
La Rambla 99, Barcelona
T +34-93-3017775
https://www.bcn.es/virreinaexposicions