Design event in London, London Design Festival, explores design for bodily integration
The upcoming London Design Festival 2025 will see the debut of an intriguing exhibition titled 'Out of Orifice', hosted at Heirloom studio's office in Mile End, East London. This thought-provoking exhibition, organised and exhibited by design collective Heirloom, delves into the diverse roles of body orifices and the design objects that traverse them.
The exhibition's introduction describes the orifices of the body as the thresholds between the interior and exterior universe. Over 36 objects, ranging from medical necessities like catheters and inhalers to more personal items such as grills, earbuds, and even a lollipop, are showcased.
The objects are categorised from the medical to the pleasurable, with the medical objects being presented in shades of white, light blue, or teal, and the pleasure objects in vibrant hues of pink or bright fuchsia. The display, even for the most medical of objects, exudes a friendly aura on a neutral stage.
The studio believes that the fun projects they undertake inform the functional ones, and vice versa. A series of colorful posters accompany the exhibition, featuring typographic exercises with object instructions, adding a playful touch to the educational experience.
According to studio member Yemima Lorberbaum, the objects we put in our bodies end up being the more humane. She also notes that blue, a colour prevalent in the medical objects, is psychologically calming. The exhibition, both cheerful and educational, aims to emphasise the importance of good design for the functioning of the world on a detailed, intimate scale.
The exhibition's identity and posters were designed by Studio Frith. Visitors can find Heirloom studio's office at 5 Tredegar Mews, E3 5AF, East London. 'Out of Orifice' promises to be an enlightening and engaging experience for all who attend. Don't miss it when it opens during the London Design Festival 2025!
