The curatorial approach we took in this visual display was to show futuristic design from the 1950's and 1960's. This decorative art movement entitled retro-futurism is linked to technological developments springing from cold war anxiety and fear of the atomic bomb dropping in the United States, ultimately resulting in no future.
Major electronic inventions were created in the 1950's such as the vacuum cleaner, the television and developments in the modern day computer. The the new economic boom of the 1950s was also a catalyst as these inventions were meant to be consumed by the population and brought into the home as oppose to governmental or militaristic use. With technologies slowly invading the home, it is no wonder that the obsession with technology and the space age would transfer into decorative art objects and home interiors.
One of the most popular designs during this time was the pod and egg shape designated to chairs and seating; this shape is dispersed throughout our display and interpreted by many designers of the time aiming to create the illusion of defying gravity. The decorative arts of this time emulated the space age, carrying geometric shapes and bold colours and metallics.
We chose images of exteriors, interiors, decorative art objects and clothing that represents this sleek fantasized view of the future that was executed onto these objects.