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V&A Secrets of The Museum- Extinction Rebellion

Updated: Apr 28, 2021



screenshots from BBC programme



There was a section of a BBC documentary series, which focused on Extinction Rebellion


BBC Secrets of The Museum Series 1 Episode 3

Starts around 25.55

-The Rapid Response Section of the V&A looks at items and to look at the world and designers today, and can pick very modest items or deeply challenging items which they think will have lasting impact in the future. Corinna Gardner is Senior Curator of Design and Digital at the V&A

-The Logo has given an identity to a climate protest that we have not known in the recent past.

-It was designed by an anonymous street artist in 2011 and adopted by Extinction Rebellion in 2018.

-The simple graphic elements echo and speak for so much more.

-The echo the simple logo 1958 anti nuclear demo which went on to become a very recognisable logo of the peace movement.

-Where does ER symbol relate to other designs of the past?

-It is a question of design, how it has galvanised public concern and also where they fit within the history of both protest design and graphic design itself

-The V&A collated several new objects chosen to represent the logo.

-Woodblock, print of the declaration of rebellion.

-Wanted to make the design story at the forefront of the exhibition and tried to show this and communicate this in in the display.

-Joins other objects of social change at the V&A including umbrellas from the Hong Kong campaigners.

-Objects that tell us about the here and now at present, then become important items in the future


screenshots from BBC programme


BBC Front Row Interview with Corinna Gardner


Starts 23mins in

-Rapid response collection brings objects into the museum which are the subject of popular and critical debate today.

-The objects articulate the design strategy wether you agree with the protests or not.

-The rapid response section of the museum was set up in 2014

-Given to V&A by Extinction Rebellion group, they are a set of objects which span their design programme.

-A movement which has a mass visual potency which is now a worldwide movement.

A sophistication which has been brought to their identity and interesting that design was there at the very start alongside their protest actions.

-Similar sophisticated design approaches and reflections in items from the suffragettes who also used colour on some of their objects to create a sea of protest.

-Design has the ability to say who we are how we negotiate our place in the world, the items at the V&A can show this through the years.

-Extinction Rebellions objects are pertinent and relevant to now and feel like we will be remembering these in the future.



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