Conran may quit with Dyson

Sir Terence Conran, founder of the Design Museum, today said he may join its chairman in resigning over the exhibitions.

Sir Terence lent his support to James Dyson who quit because he felt the museum was choosing visual style over its original ideal of promoting functional industrial design.

Sir Terence said: "I don't know where it is going. If I am to remain involved, it's got to change. It's not doing the job it was set up to do. It was set up to deal with industrial

design, not f lower arranging. I may resign if there is no movement."

The shock resignation of Mr Dyson, who designed the vacuum cleaner bearing his name, came after he wrote to his 11 fellow trustees, including Sir Terence, saying the museum had abandoned its principles to become "a style showcase".

Sir Terence said: "I have huge respect for James and sadly I have to say I agree with him. I persuaded him to take over from me as chairman and he was elected unanimously. It's a terrible situation."

Sir Terence also backed Mr Dyson's criticism of the exhibition programme of current director Alice Rawsthorne.

He said the former Financial Times journalist was not referring to t he trustees when arranging exhibitions.

Sir Terence agreed with Mr Dyson in saying she was too busy chasing visitor numbers to explore serious design issues.

He added: "I am passionate about the museum and its importance to designers and to education, but it presents an unbalanced collection.

"Neither James nor I liked the lack of balance in exhibitions - there are far too many tinsel designs."

Among the displays is an exhibition of Fifties f lower arranger Constance Spry and the movie poster works of graphic designer Saul Bass. During Mr Dyson's five-year chairmanship, he funded the museum generously and had been intending to provide more cash. Meanwhile, the Conran Foundation continues to provide the Butler's Wharf premises rent-free. But Sir Terence,