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Rapid Response Collecting
Rapid Response Collecting was introduced in 2014 as a new type of collecting activity at the V&A. Contemporary objects are acquired in response to major moments in recent history that touch the world of design and manufacturing. Many of the objects have been newsworthy either because they advance what design can do, or because they reveal truths about how we live.
Ranging from Christian Louboutin shoes in five shades of 'nude', a 3D-printed titanium handlebar used by Bradley Wiggins to set cycling's Hour Record, to a knitted Pussy Hat worn at the 2017 Women's March in Washington DC, the day after Donald Trump's inauguration; each new acquisition raises a different question about economic, political and social change, globalisation, technology and the law.
Collection highlights
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3D-printed Extinction Rebellion logotype woodblock -
Vote Leave 'Help protect your local hospital’, leaflet, designed and printed by The Printing Shed, 2016, Atherstone, England -
Knitted 'Pussy Power hat', designed by Krista Suh and Jayna Zweiman, 2017, Los Angeles, United States -
Lufsig, soft toy, designed by Silke Leffler, made for IKEA Limited, 2013, Sweden -
Trousers, made for Primark Stores Limited, 2013 – 14, Bangladesh -
The Research Institute, Lego set, designed by Ellen Kooijman, 2015, Denmark -
Fifi, shoes, designed by Christian Louboutin, 2014, Paris, France -
UltraRope, lift cable, manufactured by KONE Corporation, 2014, Espoo, Finland -
Bolide HR handlebar, designed by Pinarello Lab, 2015, Sheffield, England -
Hello Barbie, doll, designed by Mattel, Inc, by ToyTalk Inc, 2015, China -
Learning Thermostat, designed by Nest Labs, 2014, California, US -
Zano, drone, designed by Torquing Group, 2015, Wales -
WT41N0, wearable terminal, designed by Motorola Solutions, 2013, Long Island, US -
Personal Genome Service - v4 Ancestory Edition, personal genetic testing kit, manufactured by DNA Genotel Inc. made for 23andme, 2014, Ottawa, Canada -
Ahiida Modest-Fit Burqini, swimsuit, designed by Ahida Zanetti, 21st century, Australia -
Flappy Bird, mobile application, by Dong Nguyen, by .GEARS Studios, 2014, Hanoi, Vietnam -
iPhone 6, mobile telephone, designed by Apple Inc. 2014, California, US -
The Liberator, 3D printed hand gun, designed by Defence Distributed, manufactured by Digits2Widgets, 2013, Texas, US -
Refugee flag, 2016, designed by Yara Said, commissioned by the Refugee Nation with the support of Amnesty International, Film Aid, Makers Unite and U-able. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London -
Vype Reload, electronic cigarettes, by CN Creative, 2014, China -
Mon Mon, toy, designed by 1 More Design, 2015, China -
Oculus Rift, virtual reality headset, by Palmer Luckey, manufactured by Oculus VR, 2014, California, US -
Corbyn t-shirt, designed by Bristol Street Wear, 2017, Bristol, England -
Umbrella Movement protest umbrella, 2014, Hong Kong -
Katy Perry false eyelashes, by Katy Perry, manufactured by Eylure, 2013, Indonesia -
Tom of Finland stamps, by Itella Posti Oy, 2014, Finland -
X-TIGI S18, mobile telephone, manufactured by X-TIGI -
Architectural spikes, manufactured by Kent Stainless Ltd, 2014, Wexford, Ireland -
Xbox adaptive controller, game console controller, by Microsoft, 2018 -
Julie Tile for A House for Essex, designed by Grayson Perry and FAT Architecture, manufactured by Shaws of Darwen, 2015, UK
Features
Rapid Response Collecting: an introduction
Rapid Response Collecting: an introduction
Find out more about Rapid Response Collecting
'I Still Believe in Our City' public art campaign
'I Still Believe in Our City' public art campaign
Discover how a public art campaign exemplifies voicing dissent through a bold celebration
The Pussyhat
The Pussyhat
Find out how a knitted pink hat became a global symbol of female solidarity
The Liberator – the world's first 3D printed handgun
The Liberator – the world's first 3D printed handgun
"It transforms the way we think about new manufacturing technologies and the unregulated sharing of designs online".
Header image:
Background image: Mon Mon, soft toy, Dan Dan Man/1 more Design, 2015, China. Museum no. Prov.2091-2015. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London