V&A Blog
  • Our News
  • V&A Dundee
  • V&A East
  • Young V&A
  • V&A Wedgwood Collection
  • V&A Shop
  • Museum life
  • Caring for our Collections
  • Design and society
  • Digital
  • Our Projects
The V&A SEARCH
V&A Blog
News, articles and stories from the V&A

Pandemic Objects

Pandemic Objects is an editorial project that compiles and reflects on objects that have taken on new meaning and purpose during the coronavirus outbreak. During times of pandemic, a host of everyday often-overlooked ‘objects’ (in the widest possible sense of the term) are suddenly charged with new urgency. Toilet paper becomes a symbol of public panic, a forehead thermometer a tool for social control, convention centres become hospitals, while parks become contested public commodities. By compiling these objects and reflecting on their changing purpose and meaning, this space aims to paint a unique picture of the pandemic and the pivotal role objects play within it.

Read more Show less
Featured

Pandemic Objects: Rainbows

In late February, UK news organisations began reporting on the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic spreading across Europe, taking place most drastically in northern Italy....
Kristian Volsing
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Postcards

null Brendan Cormier
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Mass Testing

null Johanna Agerman Ross
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Japanese Measles Prints

null Masami Yamada
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Dating Apps

null Maude Willaerts
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Milk

null Sara Kassam
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Birdsong

null Gill Saunders
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Keffiyeh Mask

null Mariam Rosser-Owen
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: The Pub

null William Newton
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Copper

null Anna Talley
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Clothing Shop

null Stephanie Wood
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Al Fresco

null Esmé Hogeveen
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Radio

null Rachel Dedman
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Bags

null Lucia Savi
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Family Portrait

null Brendan Cormier
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Instant Noodles

null Isolde Nicolaysen
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Radiator

null Kaja Marczewska
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: The Sea

null Hana Kaluznick
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: The Underground

null Catherine Flood
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: AIDS Posters

null Brendan Cormier
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Rainbows

null Kristian Volsing
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Dogs

null Jenna Mason
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Time

null Melanie Lenz
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Student Housing

null Kaja Marczewska
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Caravan

null Alice Baddeley
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Henry VIII’s Codpiece

null Ruth Hibbard
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Fancy Dress

null Katy Canales
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Windows

null Rachel Dedman
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Neighbours

null Brendan Cormier
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Roses

null Brendan Cormier
Design and society

Pandemic Objects: Coffee House

null Kathleen Walker-Meikle

Posts pagination

1 2 3 Next
Back to the top

Victoria and
Albert Museum

About the V&A

  • About us
  • Contact us
  • National work
  • International work
  • Research
  • Conservation
  • Sustainability
  • Press
  • Careers

Join & Support

  • Membership
  • Corporate partnerships
  • FuturePlan
  • Donate
  • Volunteer

Resources

  • Explore the Collections
  • V&A Academy
  • National Art Library
  • Photography Centre
  • Study Rooms
  • Archives
  • Order an Object
  • Blog

Commercial

  • Shop
  • Licensing
  • Publishing
  • V&A images
  • Exhibitions for hire
  • Venue hire

Visit the V&A

V&A South Kensington

  • Daily: 10.00 – 17.45
    Friday: 10.00 – 22.00
  • Admission is free
  • Cromwell Road
    London SW7 2RL
  • Plan your visit
  • Access information

V&A Dundee

  • Daily except Tuesday: 10.00 – 17.00
  • Admission is free
  • 1 Riverside Esplanade,
    Dundee DD1 4EZ
  • V&A Dundee website
  • Access information

V&A Wedgwood Collection

  • Wednesday – Sunday:
    10.00 – 17.45
  • Admission is free
  • Wedgwood Drive, Barlaston,
    Stoke-on-Trent ST12 9ER
  • World of Wedgwood website

Young V&A

  • Daily: 10.00 – 17.45
  • Admission is free
  • Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green, London E2 9PA
  • Plan your visit
  • Access information

V&A East Storehouse

  • Daily: 10.00 – 18.00
    Thu and Sat: 10.00 – 22.00
  • Admission is free
  • 2 Parkes Street,
    London E20 3AX
  • Plan your visit

V&A East Museum

  • Opening 2026
  • 107 Carpenters Rd,
    London E20 2AR
  • About V&A East
  • +44 (0)20 7942 2000
  • hello@vam.ac.uk
  • Privacy notice and cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Accessibility statement

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2022