The vision: A poetic take on technology Creative duo Humans since 1982 refuse to be labelled as either artists or designers, instead they want their work to reflect the dynamism of human nature. Since their studies, they have been interested in dismantling the border between functional design and art, which they believe to be unnecessary as everything has a function of some kind. In their practice, the duo often take iconic objects and recognisable signs and symbols out of their usual habitats and put them into new environments, with new functions. Much of their work examines technology, which they call “a tool for efficiency” and gives it a less tangible, more poetic quality in order to provide a fresh perspective on its place in society. Their contribution to IKEA ART EVENT 2021 follows this train of thought – they take the drone, a modern technological object associated with surveillance, and put it into an aluminium display case resembling a butterfuly collection. By pinning the drones inside the cabinet, they make us think about how strange it is for a present-day technological item to be static as though it is a timeless artefact or specimen. The duo hope that their wall pieces will resonate with IKEA customers; they believe that they will fit into any kind of home. Humans since 1982 about the collaboration: "the studio has partnered with IKEA to create this limited edition artwork as part of the IKEA Art Event 2021. The drone wall pieces we have developed for IKEA resemble butterfly collection cabinets – playing with the contrasts and similarities between contemporary technology and natural sciences. Established in 2009 by Bastian Bischoff and Per Emanuelsson (who are from Germany and Sweden respectively) while students at HDK Göteborg, Humans since 1982 fuse art and design to create subversive everyday objects. The duo’s pieces raise questions about accelerating technology and its dualistic nature as both a source of progression and destruction. Defying simple categorisation, their work is driven by curiosity and a desire to offer a new way of thinking about the world. As new - unpacked. Dimensions: W26×D7.5, H35cm Material: Aluminium, ABS plastic and glass.