Recently some of our objects have been featured at the European House of History in their temporary exhibit, Throwaway.
“Throwaway” is a project that unearths the hidden history of waste in Europe while simultaneously highlighting its significance as a marker of social change. Starting with the industrial revolution, ‘’Throwaway’’ brings us on a journey through wartime scarcity, the surge in post-war consumerism, and finishes with today’s insurmountable waste crisis. It displays the profound changes in how we have dealt with rubbish in by gone years, and the way we think, or don’t think about waste. By looking at the past, it makes current criticisms and there sounding calls for change relevant and meaningful.”
Description of the Throwaway exhibit provided from the EHOH
The objects borrowed from MoDiP’s collection were predominantly used to highlight the social changes witnessed with the introduction and implementation of plastic into mainstream society. Parkesine billiard balls and fashion accessories composed of cellulose nitrate provide examples of how plastic was used to mimic and replace animal products and less sustainable materials for household use.
Cellulose nitrate objects from MoDiP's collection on display at the European House of History.
Photo Credit: EHOH
Not long ago, the loaned items were returned to MoDiP which resulted in an entertaining afternoon of carefully breaking into the very well packaged moving crate.
Each item was meticulously wrapped and placed in a custom cut foam space within the crate to prevent movement and possible damage during shipment.
Once the objects were unpacked, a condition report was done for each object to make sure no damage had occurred during shipment or display. The MoDiP database was then updated to reflect the objects return.
Finally, after their exciting international journey, the objects were returned back to their accommodations in storage.
We are thrilled that these objects were able to be appreciated and viewed by a wider audience while being on display at the EHOH. You can still view a detailed overview of the Throwaway exhibit as well as learn about current exhibitions by visiting the European House of History's website.
Shannon Carr,
MoDiP Collections Officer