My overall reaction to the V&A’s Rapid Response Collection was that it was a presentation of many interesting objects/artefacts, if not a little overwhelming at times with sheer amount of objects on display. That being said, there were a few personal standouts that I’d have loved to explore on my own, but unfortunately didn’t make the final selection for the purposes of the group project. We initially set out to each select three objects and then whittle down the selection as a group. The following were my choices, all coincidentally Japanese in origin.
I’m going to be pretty frank in why these were appealing. I mean, how cool is this poster?! Interesting how the typewriter is framed as an object of desire, using the connotations of the model’s name. Also, why ‘study’? Is that revealing of it catering to a certain cultural demographic; young Japanese students? Beautiful colours too.
What drew me to this most was how such an overt form of propaganda/nationalism/pro-war sentiment was relegated to a garment that wouldn’t even be visible. I’m always curious about how cultural iconography, a product of its era, takes form in so many different ways. In this case, through textiles. Interesting pairing with the “V for Victory” textile in the background, also feature warplanes but more explicit, bombs as well.
Another product of its time, the Space Race. Perhaps a bit gimmicky but I still appreciate the literal translation of iconography to technology. Wonder what the viewing experience was like and how successful sales were. Also, do literal representations like this devalue an object? If so, why?