When a love affair ends, the once treasured mementos of lost romance are often consigned to the dustbin. But, an exhibition called the Museum of Broken Relationships opening at The National Centre for Craft & Design in January 2012 sets out to celebrate them by showcasing a collection of objects donated by people from all over the world.
Created in Croatia by curators Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic, the exhibition began as a local art installation and is now a permanent museum in Zagreb which has recently received the European Museum of the Year Kenneth Hudson Award for Innovation. The Museum of Broken Relationships collects and presents anonymous objects and stories from communities around the world. They are as random and varied as the reasons people get together and break up.
Each item is presented with a story by their donator. From the tragic and war-torn, to the simple, sexy, silly, and downright hilarious the objects and their stories will strike a chord with everyone. The caption on a suspender belt, purchased in Sarajevo in 2003, reflects: "I never put them on. The relationship might have lasted longer if I had." Another, on a tin sold as "Love Incense", merely reads, "Doesn't work."
Things are not too melancholy though. The National Centre are putting together a varied programme of special events to compliment the exhibition including an author’s talk, an acoustic music session and the screening of a quirky comedy on Valentine’s Day for those who want to do something different.
The Museum of Broken Relationships
28 January – 15 April 2012
Open every day from 10am – 5pm. Free entry
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The National Centre for Craft and Design sits at the heart of the market town of Sleaford
in Lincolnshire in the beautiful riverside setting of Navigation Wharf. It is a unique and ambitious gallery that exhibits today's most innovative, challenging and accomplished craft and design artists.
The centre has four exciting exhibition spaces including the largest main gallery space in
England, a roof top gallery and a vibrant window space. A learning and events programme is built around the themes of each exhibition and offers a lively programme of talks, films and workshops. Our retail space provides a visually stunning and inspirational area for demonstrating and promoting creative talent and we have a licensed café that serves locally sourced produce.
The National Centre is ‘home’ to the very best designer/makers in craft practice today.
Open from 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
