Objects & Us

Every culture in history has imbued certain objects with special value, constructing systems and narratives to support their appreciation. Even our pre-human ancestors left behind evidence of collecting. Objects, then, tell important stories - about humanity, creativity, what we need, and about who we really are or wish to be. In 'Objects & Us', renowned curator and cultural historian Gus Casely-Hayford identifies twelve human needs, each chronicled in its own chapter, and pairs them with a variety of objects from the last six centuries, asking why these things and the human drive for creativity are important. Through a surprising and revealing selection of objects, from a carved wooden spoon to a stately silk dress, he identifies significant moments of cultural and creative innovation and expands them into larger stories that tell us why we design, make and collect.