Object #1
WikiLeaks Scarf, 2011
Metahaven
The first object we chose was the scarf created by Metahaven in collaboration with WikiLeaks to help fund the organisation’s work. The scarf is made of silk with a graphic pattern. It is translucent and fragile, draped on a mannequin – ‘simultaneously revealing and concealing’ the mannequin. It is meant to reflect ideas of transparency within our governments and information networks.
It responds to contemporary issues surrounding data leaks, freedom of speech, right to information, surveillance states, transparency within politics and governments etc. So it does say something about our culture, but interestingly it also tells us how present day artists and designers express their critique / dissent.
It has been placed in the ‘Data and Communication’ section which was right alongside the ‘Consumption & Identity’ section. The inclusion of this object highlights the use of commodities, fashion items and products and their relationship to the need for funding and activism, especially under a capitalist system.
Some questions this raised for us: does this form of critique work? Is this type of work truly critical of our culture? Even if the scarf itself is not a piece of critical communication – the proceeds do directly fund a cause, and it still is a physical representation of how designers use their skills to express critique.
Object #2
Stereo System (1983)
Ron Arad
The second object we chose was the Stereo System by Ron Arad (1983). The most interesting aspect of this object is how it aims to question the notions of perfection, form and function. And the use of materials that may be considered inconvenient or counterintuitive – it’s heavy, made of concrete and doesn’t concern itself with the shackles of practicality which is a rebellion/subversion against all the usual ‘design 101’ philosophies. It has also been placed alongside posters and images that speak about labor movements, which makes you think about the way goods, products and appliances are really produced – are people being exploited for perfection and convenience? When you buy a stereo system, what are all the different components and complexities of those involved in creating them? Are they being treated fairly?
Object #3
Handmade Toaster
The Toaster Project (2009)
Thomas Thwaites
This object was placed in the Sustainability & Subversion section. For me the most interesting part about this object was the focus on materiality and replication. In an age of virtually infinite replication and production of goods and products, this toaster is a cheaply made replica or mould using melted plastics.
It makes you think about the act of producing more, the actual resources required and the true cost (to the planet, to the labor force) of making things cheaply, quickly and virtually infinitely.
I think it holds a lot of potential for visual exploration to think about imperfect / handmade replication, resources and materiality.