Not on display

Talking Tab

Label Tab
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.

This is called Talking Tab and the designers described it as a label that recites poems or recipes to plants. They wondered whether tender herbs could be encouraged to grow by hearing about the dishes they would one day enhance.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Talking Tab (assigned by artist)
  • Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Oak
Brief description
'Talking Tab', designed by Dunne & Raby and Michael Anastassiades, square oak label tab, part of Weeds, Aliens and Other Stories collection
Physical description
Oak label tab with square shaped head and single prong
Dimensions
  • Height: 265mm
  • Width: 90mm
  • Depth: 10mm
Production typeUnique
Gallery label
Talking Tabs Labels that recite poens or recipes to plants Oak, with CD player W.76 to 78-2002 Could tender herbs be encouraged to grow by hearing about the dishes they will one day enhance?(2003)
Production
Attribution note: Commissioned by the British Council for exhibition in Prague
Reason For Production: Commission
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.

This is called Talking Tab and the designers described it as a label that recites poems or recipes to plants. They wondered whether tender herbs could be encouraged to grow by hearing about the dishes they would one day enhance.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
W.77-2002

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Record createdMarch 28, 2003
Record URL
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