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Journal of Design History 2003 16(2):167-185; doi:10.1093/jdh/16.2.167
© 2003 by Design History Society
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‘Purgatory of taste’ or Projector of Industrial Britain? The British Institute of Industrial Art1

Yasuko Suga

Saitama University Japan


  Abstract

This article explores how the British Institute Art (BIIA), the first govermental organization to deal specifically with modern industrial design,endeavoured to project the nation via design. The Institute held exhibitions at Knightsbridge, the victoria and albert museum in, provincial cities and abroad. Its collaborations with the General Post Office and the Ministry of Transport gave birth to several products of modern design. It punlished a number of research reports on the vaied aspects of industrial art. These achievements were later utilized at the council for Art and Industry. The BIIA's history by no means indicatess that it had a crtitcal impact on the debate of modern taste, but it does demonsterate how the power structure within the debates shifted. It also marked a significant prelude to the state patronage, or institutionalization, of modern design.

Key Words: British Institute of Industrial Art • design policy • exhibitions • Great Britain • inter war • victoria and Albert Museum

1An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Design History Annual International Conference, September 2001, London. I am grateful to Jonathan M. Woodham, Gillian Naylor and Jane Pavitt for their advice.


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