This summer the V&A will explore the recent trend among European designers for limited edition pieces that push the boundaries between art and design. Telling Tales: Fantasy and Fear in Contemporary Design will bring together around 50 objects that share common themes such as fantasy, parody and a concern with mortality.

Especially interesting could be the final section: “Heaven and Hell” will display work by designers concerned with themes of mortality and the afterlife. The “Lovers rug” by Fredrikson Stallard comprises a pair of conjoined pools of poured red urethane representing the average quantity of blood in two people. This object will appear together with work by Dunne & Raby, Niels van Eijk and Miriam van der Lubbe and Boym Partners.

Gareth Williams, the curator: “This exhibition aims to capture a way of designing that has been emerging in recent years. These objects have stories to tell and we wanted to present some of the most creative and innovative examples and explore common themes.”

Telling Tales: Fantasy and Fear in Contemporary Design is at the V&A from 14 July to 18 October 2009. Free Admission. Open daily 10.00 – 17.45 and until 22.00 every Friday.

Photo credit: The Lovers Rug by Frederikson Stallard