Art Preview: Can a Toothbrush be Beautiful?

Brillo pads, travel toothbrushes, and stainless steel dog bowls may seem more appropriately placed in your junk drawer than at an art museum.

But the beauty of ordinary household items is exactly what's celebrated in the new exhibit, Extra-Ordinary: The Everyday Object in American Art, now on display at the Austin Museum of Modern Art.

In addition to the main exhibit, which features Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Can and a giant fabric sculpture of a BLT sandwich, there's also a small collection of objects created by Austin-based designers.

Many of the objects on display blend functionality with eye-popping design, and evoke the debatable question, "Is this art?" Only the most pampered of pooches are deserving of the futuristic stainless steel dog bowl on loan from Austin's WetNoz, a design firm that creates high-end pet accessories. A sleek water cooler that can become the conversation piece instead of just the office conversation area is one of several items created by the Austin-based DesignEdge. The firm also is represented by a lime green broom/mop combo and an ingenious travel toothbrush called the OHSO, which has self-dispensing toothpaste.

During a special lecture on Thursday at 7 p.m., Julie Heard of Mixer* Group will interview a few of the designers behind these cutting-edge products and ask where they draw inspiration. Guest speakers will include designers from Austin-based Design Edge and M3 Design.

[AMoA Exhibit Link]

Extra-Ordinary: The Everyday Object in American Art runs through November 4th.

Conversation: Designing for the Everyday
Thursday, September 6th
Austin Museum of Modern Art (9th St and Congress Ave)
7pm