'Hands To Work, Hearts to God', was a key tenet of the American Shakers:  a mantra centered on the idea that something as simple as putting your hands to good use - be it cleaning, cooking, or making beautiful objects and tools - can lead to a higher spiritual state of mind.  

Now, during this time of distress, we've found the Shaker ideals resonating with us even more especially at a time when there’s so much to ponder as the world reconsiders everything from social and economic order to the small simple everyday things and to rethinking our personal and collective values.

What used to seem unimportant, trivial, mundane or even optional is now a necessity and disposable objects that weren't given a second thought to a month ago are now precious rare commodities. In a matter of weeks the whole world seems to have shifted into a new frame of time, new mindset, new rituals, and new values.

The pace of the pandemic is unprecedented, however, things like cleanliness, caring for others, persistence, and resiliency have always been important virtues for society.  As designers, objects, rituals, and meanings are something we think about often - perhaps just under different lenses in better times.  With all the changes in the world, we’re reminded that the mundane isn’t something to overlook - which is why we want to take this moment to look back and share one of our favorite Furnishing Utopia exhibitions Hands To Work back in 2018.

'Hands to Work' is the third in a series of group shows responding to the study of the American Shakers.  Organized by Furnishing Utopia, and sponsored by Design Within Reach, this show prompted 25+ international designers to reconsider the rituals behind simple everyday chores from cleaning to organizational work.  The Shakers were the starting point as they believed that a day’s work on earth put one closer to heaven.  Designers were asked to consider this while creating objects that speak to a modern chore and the ritual behind it.  The resulting exhibition, curated and creative directed by L&G, debuted in May 2018's NYCxDesign to a delightfully receptive public.

In celebrating the simple act of doing chores, L&G created a series of brushes titled, 'Sound Brushes' with the help of a Swedish brush-making brand, Iris Hantverk.   The simple cleaning brushes embellish the rhythmic action of brushing - giving haptic feedback to the motion through internal beads that act like sound instruments - bringing more sensory awareness to the act of cleaning.  

We also created a series of small objects around the idea of frugality and not taking resources for granted.  The 'Waste-Not' soap encourages people to take the last little bit of the previous bar of soap and join it to the new soap bar.  The 'Waste-Not' bottle holder is a sculptural base to hold shampoo and or self-care products in bottles upside to get out every last drop.  While these practices seem trivial - the habit of not wasting things can easily translate to many parts of our lives.  We embrace the idea that small things can add up to mind shifts that create big change collectively.

Creative Direction: L&G Studio /  Videography: Charlie Schuck 

For the exhibit, we created a short video embracing the pleasing sensorial sounds of doing everyday rituals.
By taking a moment to reflect on what may seem like 'nothing', one can find a greater sense of calmness in small things and more joy in everyday existence.  

May this short 3-minute Hands To Work video bring you a sense of calmness and peace during these tough times.