Contemporary art and design strategically place objects within the context of our daily life. Through conceptualization and the production process, this strategy forms a tacit agreement, as a behavioral pattern that itself becomes the basis for judgment, evaluation, and other behavior. In this exhibition, this agreement is defined as ‘Objectology’, or the ‘ethics of objects’. 

The rules and codes for this behavioral pattern, particularly those related to aesthetics, have developed over time, allowing design to expand its focus from practical function to encompass more artistic qualities. This new artistic appreciation of design objects has effectively eclipsed the previous context, which was limited to the object’s usage in everyday life. Of course, artists like Duchamp and Picasso famously utilized objects as sculptures, thus providing them with a new means of communication. Since that time, design and its objects have been more open to appreciation, contemplation, and thought. 

Objectology- Design and Art examines the aesthetic enjoyment of everyday objects. This material and cultural approach focuses on the rules that guide artists and designers in treating ordinary objects as works of art, as well as the comprehensive features relevant to visitors and users. The exhibition ultimately suggests a new set of standards for comparing and analyzing contemporary art and design.

*image (left)
Moon Kyungwon & Jeon Joonho
News from Nowhere, 2012
two channels, HD film, objet, document
courtesy of the artists and MMCA