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Garden Horn

Horn
1998 (designed), 1998 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This contraption is part of a collection called 'Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories'. Using the passion of the British for their gardens as a metaphor, the designers proposed prototype objects that examined the sense of alienation and frustration that lies beneath the surface of our personal relationships. Many of their solutions were witty and ironic, but the humour barely concealed a darker layer of anxiety. These prototypes are not intended to be mass-manufactured, but are intended to allow reflection on our relationships with objects, with nature and with each other. As such they show an interest in the conceptual content of designed objects that has inspired much innovation amongst contemporary designers.

This is called the 'Garden Horn', and the designers described as a device for speaking to plants that otherwise might be neglected. The Garden Horn could be used to whisper encouragement to a favourite plant. The talker will probably feel better, whatever effect it may (or may not) have on the plants.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Garden Horn (assigned by artist)
  • Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Oak
Brief description
Horn, 'Garden Horn', designed by Dunne & Raby and Michael Anastassiades, oak, part of Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories collection, 1998
Physical description
A long horn-shaped device made of oak with oak handle.
Dimensions
  • Height: 220mm
  • Width: 1600mm
  • Depth: 50mm
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
(2003)
Garden Horn
A device for speaking to plants that otherwise might be neglected

Oak
W.73-2002

The Garden Horn can be used to whisper encouragement to a favourite plant. The talker will probably feel good, whatever the effect it does or doesn't have on the plants.
Production
Attribution note: Commissioned by the British Council for exhibition in Prague
Reason For Production: Commission
Summary
This contraption is part of a collection called 'Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories'. Using the passion of the British for their gardens as a metaphor, the designers proposed prototype objects that examined the sense of alienation and frustration that lies beneath the surface of our personal relationships. Many of their solutions were witty and ironic, but the humour barely concealed a darker layer of anxiety. These prototypes are not intended to be mass-manufactured, but are intended to allow reflection on our relationships with objects, with nature and with each other. As such they show an interest in the conceptual content of designed objects that has inspired much innovation amongst contemporary designers.

This is called the 'Garden Horn', and the designers described as a device for speaking to plants that otherwise might be neglected. The Garden Horn could be used to whisper encouragement to a favourite plant. The talker will probably feel better, whatever effect it may (or may not) have on the plants.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
W.73-2002

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Record createdMarch 28, 2003
Record URL
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