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As I approached the strikingly modern glass and cement facade of the Museum of Design Atlanta building located in the heart of Midtown across from the High Museum, I read a sign that asked, “What makes an everyday object a Hidden Hero?” Wanting to find out more, I opened the glass doors and entered the museum.
After purchasing a ticket to Hidden Heroes: The Genius of Everyday Things, I walked into the expansive lobby where a 3D printing station was filled with elementary school children. The children were buzzing with anticipation while awaiting a hands-on lesson in 3D modeling and printing. Just beyond the lobby was the small, but sleekly modern exhibit space.
The modern design extended to the exhibits on display, which consisted of 36 large hollow wooden boxes each resting on three legs. The first box contained several rulers artistically scattered about in the display case. A sign attached to the box told the history of the folding yard stick and expanded upon the reality that great design is hidden in many of the things we consider common products.
The idea behind the exhibit– displaying everyday objects that we often take for granted in a creative arrangement– is an intriguing one. As I moved through the gallery, I passed by lightbulbs, paper clips, Legos, Post-it notes, umbrellas and zippers. Even the mundane hanger was called out for its innovative design and utilitarian purpose. Each display combined both historical artifacts and artfully constructed objects that conveyed when and where each hidden hero was invented.
Sound effects added to the visual wonder. As I walked through the gallery, the noise of popping bubbles poured from the bubble wrap display. The sound of traffic and bustling streets accompanied the earplug display, bringing the exhibit to life and emphasizing power of the small modern marvel. Many of the displays housed a small screen that projected videos. A vintage commercial for Teefix played behind the tea bag display and a production video from a factory accompanied the everyday pencil.
The exhibit was not your typical museum experience. The museum lived up to its name with the creative design of this exhibit. The intimate setting and odd displays informed and entertained. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Hidden Heroes: The Genius of Everyday Things.
So what makes an everyday object a Hidden Hero? The ability to be creatively and artistically displayed in an exceptionally enthralling exhibit at the Museum of Design Atlanta.
