Not on display

Intensive Care

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

This device 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.

It is commonly thought that talking to plants will help them grow. This is called Intensive Care and the designers described as a device for communicating with demanding plants, anywhere, anytime. Place one end over the plant and speak or sing into the other end. Your voice is relayed down the wire to the plant, even when you aren't in the garden.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Stand
  • Stand
Titles
  • Intensive Care (assigned by artist)
  • Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Oak
Brief description
Stand, 'Intensive Care', designed by Dunne & Raby and Michael Anastassiades, oak, part of Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories collection, 1998.

Stand, made of oak, end tapers into a spike (communication device). Part of Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories collection by Dunne & Raby and Michael Anastassiades.
Physical description
An oak communication device consisting of two parts; one with a pointed end and another with an end comprising four parts.
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
(2003)
Intensive Care
A device for communicating with demanding plants, anywhere, anytime

Oak
W.74-2002

It is commonly thought that talking to plants will help them grow. Speak or sing into one end of this device, and your words are relayed to the plant, even when you aren't in the garden.
Production
Attribution note: Commissioned by the British Council for exhibition in Prague
Reason For Production: Commission
Subjects depicted
Summary
This device 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.

It is commonly thought that talking to plants will help them grow. This is called Intensive Care and the designers described as a device for communicating with demanding plants, anywhere, anytime. Place one end over the plant and speak or sing into the other end. Your voice is relayed down the wire to the plant, even when you aren't in the garden.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
W.74:1, 2-2002

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Record createdMarch 28, 2003
Record URL
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