Objects & Us: Why Things Matter
A fresh, expansive, unflinching, and informed exploration of objects and what they can tell us about human history.
Every culture in history has imbued certain objects with special value, constructing systems and narratives to support their appreciation. Even our prehuman 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. His aim is to show how the products of art and design are not simply evidence of human history, but are in fact what make us human in the first place.
Objects & Us takes readers through a tour of both commonplace and exceptional objects from all corners of the world, showing how they reveal our histories, our needs, our desires, and our priorities, as well as the way we live our lives.
116 color illustrations
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Book Dimensions: 16.51 cm, 3.3 cm, 24.38 cm
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Publishing has a diversity problem. There are less 'diverse' books being published which limits the discoverability and reach of those authors.
Representation is important. Read more about why we exist here.
An anti-racist social enterprise bookstore specialising in BIPOC books.
Only about 11% of books published are by BIPOC authors — so unless you specifically seek out books by BIPOC authors, you aren't likely to find very many of them organically. At Amplify, BIPOC authors are highlighted and celebrated. Here, they don't have to fight to be seen, and you don't have to fight to find them.
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