Cutting board with safety guides Skärhjälpen (Cutting aid)

Artist/Maker

DatesManufactured: Made 1974 Designed: Designed probably 1973

Material / Technique

Dimensionsh x l x w: 14,5 x 40,5 x 13,7 cm

Inventory numberNMGu 40143

AcqusitionDonated 2000 by Kooperativa Förbundet

Other titlesTitel (sv): Stödskärbräda ”Skärhjälpen”, vit Titel (en): Cutting board with safety guides Skärhjälpen (Cutting aid) Etikett (sv): Ergonomisk skärbräda med stöd Skärhjälpen Tidigare: Ergonomic cutting board with support Cutting Aid

DescriptionDescription: Skärhjälpen consists of a kitchen knife used as a saw and a cutting board, divided into sections that guide the knife safely. After Maria Benktzon and Sven-Eric Juhlin had taken part in workshops in 1968 with the US-based designer, professor and activist Victor Papanek, organised by the Scandinavian Design Students’ Organisation (SDO), they started designing assistive devices together for the elderly and people with disabilities. The SDO was founded in 1966 by a group of dissatisfied students who wanted designers to tackle important challenges in society. In 1969, Papanek was a visiting lecturer at Konstfack, and his groundbreaking book Miljön och miljonerna. Design som tjänst eller förtjänst? was published in 1970. (It was published in English as Design for the Real World: Human Ecology and Social Change in 1971.) The book was based on his participation in the SDO and attacked consumption-driven design and urged designers to take responsibility and instead solve real environmental and societal problems.

Collection

Geographical origin

MaterialPlastic, Stainless steel (Metal, Steel)

TechniqueIndustrial design

Object category