Of all places in London the venerable Victoria & Albert Museumin Kensington might seem the least likely place for a show about revolt. And yet, "Disobedient Objects" at the V&A is not only free, but also freeing.
The exhibition introduces a range of items that were instrumental in social, political and economic protest movements in the last 40 years. These include the Egyptian revolution, Polish Solidarność and Occupy. Of course Queer Liberation was present too, with some great objects of empowerment.
Protest flag, New York, 2011
Picture from Charlie Porter
Badge from the Act Up AIDS protests of New York 1986-87
Poster designed for Act Up AIDS by Keith Haring, 1989 (not in the show, but almost)
Bust Card for arrested gays, Scottish Homosexual Rights Group, 1979
Fierce Pink power - Queers against authority. Protest banner, USA, ca. 2012
Toy Terrorism:
Barbie Liberation Organization, 1991
Overall, a mind-opening and strangely optimistic exhibition. Walking out of the V&A I already saw myself smashing the shopfronts of Kensington in protest against 21st century consumerism. But then I changed my mind, and went to Harrods instead.
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