I’d like to work with some of your Designers and collaborators, how can I do that?
At the heart of Useful Objects is a desire to connect and to facilitate the creation of works and relationships alike. We are open to opportunities for dialogue and exchange. We invite you to consider simply dropping us a line via email, or visit our gallery and showroom; let’s pick up the conversation.
How do you select the exhibitions at Useful Objects?
The exhibition program is entirely determined – but not exclusively curated – internally. The program at Useful Objects prominently features its core group of represented Designers, in addition to exhibitions of work by all manner of makers which extend the conversation around contemporary making. If you have a proposal as an independent curator for something exciting, please feel free to get in touch via email or visit our gallery.
How do you select the Designers that Useful Objects represents?
Each of the Designers we are lucky enough to work with drew us in with their unique approach. Ensuring a mix of aesthetics, media and methodologies across the group is important, so we take our time and maintain a mix of people whose work adds depth without significant cross-over with others.
We are always on the lookout for future collaborators, and welcome being contacted by practitioners with something to say.
Why the name Useful Objects?
Useful Objects borrows its name from two cultural touchstones, while playfully referring to commonly-held expectations that contemporary design works should be functional.
Useful Objects was an exhibition of ‘good modern design’ presented annually at the Museum of Modern Art, New York between 1938 and 1947. It was noted in a MoMA press release for the 1946 iteration that these exhibitions ‘have helped many Christmas shoppers to find the ideal gift in good modern design’.
Useful Objects is also the title of a 2021 book by cultural historian Reed Gochberg that provides a transdisciplinary overview of 19th century museum practices, reflecting on how these continue to shape broader cultural debates. The exhibition context, the generation of sales and the fostering of critical discourse are all key drivers and important contexts for Useful Objects.
Who is behind Useful Objects?
Useful Objects was founded by Simon Maidment. His vision is to support the work of contemporary makers, and contribute to the discourse around, and awareness of, contemporary object making; in particular, the story-telling it enables. Useful Objects is intended to foster voices of makers and curators in a global community of inquisitive and critical practitioners and audiences.
Can I rent your exhibition space?
You can! We are open to discuss rental for private events during periods when our program is between exhibitions. To enquire please send us an email.
Renting the space for exhibitions or events that are public-facing is not available (see above the explanation of our programming model and how we select our core group of Designers).
Registrations
Legal name: USEFUL OBJECTS PTY LTD
Australian Business Number: 89 671 066 541
Australian Company Number: 671 066 541
GST registered: Yes
Funding acknowledgements
We acknowledge the support of the City of Yarra, through their Room to Create program. Useful Objects gratefully received part funding towards fit-out costs of opening at 47 Easey Street, Collingwood.
