The Museum of Ordinary Objects to hold its second edition this Sunday

Discover stories behind objects like a hipflask and a camera at an exhibition this weekend

Some of the exhibits that will be on display. Pics/Sneha Kharabe

A lock, a printed T-shirt, an aeroplane mobile, a lamp, shoes, a bust of Victor Hugo, a camera, a cookie cutter - welcome to the world of ordinary objects. Last year in April, these new, old, used, functional and kaput objects were part of a two-day temporary museum called The Museum of Ordinary Objects. This Sunday, the museum will open for its second edition.

Karan Talwar, filmmaker and founder of Harkat Studios; Sananda Mukhopadhyay, art teacher and founder of Extensions Arts; and Choiti Ghosh, founder of Tram Arts Trust, founded the museum. “The first edition was the flagship event where we were experimenting with the form and design. From the feedback we received, we have decided to make this edition a more experiential one by adding in many sensory objects,” says Talwar.

These sensory objects could include a kaleidoscope, a plastic bag, bubble wrap that you can pop, a piece of glass that casts a reflection, or a music box that plays a tune. The objects are from the founders’ personal collections and crowdsourced. Each object has a flip card explaining the significance - a story or the memory associated with it. For instance, a steel flask has a note that reads ‘My father’s girlfriend told me that a sip of strong alcohol before a meal prevents food poisoning. When I was 19, I set off on my first trip around the globe and found this in my backpack. After having tasted fried grasshoppers and monkey brain, I can truly say it works.’

In addition, there will be curated sensory collections too, which will include all the ordinary objects associated with a certain experience or space. “For instance, if the theme is travel or the ocean, the area will have the aroma of the sea, there will be sand and seashells, and the sound of waves. Or if the theme is Grandmother’s Kitchen there will be special utensils, the smell of ghee, the cloth my grandmother used to wrap around the handles of dishes, etc,” says Talwar, adding that he wants these collections to be a surprise.

This edition will also see a barter system where you can bring in an object of your own (with a note) and take one from the exhibit (the barter objects will be marked with a green dot). “You can share your story and take away someone’s else memory,” says Talwar.

On: Mar 5, 10 am to 9 pm
At: Harkat Studios, Bungalow 75, ground floor, Aram Nagar 2, JP Road, Versova.
Call: 7718030009

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