Tag: critical

Dissertation

It has been more than a month that I finished my dissertation. But better later than never…

Here is the abstract and you can click on the cover bellow to access it.

Screen Shot 2015-09-11 at 15.18.23By obfuscating what western human being take for granted, such as the knowledge offered to us by maps, clocks, or more recently electronic de- vices, my research aims to reveal how technology fails to give us the ‘god’s eye view’ that it promises. This dissertation presents three of my projects: MyMap, Circadian Clock and SAAD, which encourage people to reflect on how we might overcome the challenges that modern technology puts in front of us, in order to reconnect with others and nature.
This dissertation explores the concept of borders; physical, symbolic, invis- ible or psychological, which I would argue are partly responsible for ‘dim- ming’ our perspective of the world. The research and projects, allowed me to develop the concept of ‘Design Geography’, which I define as the prac- tice to mediate the value of human interaction with others and the natural environment, using design processes.

 

Reciprocity

I invigilated Reciprocity exhibition by Patrick Stevenson-Keating and jewellers Jonathan Matthew Boyd and Adam Henderson at RBS West End Branch in Edinburgh for two weeks this summer.
It was unlikely to have it in a Bank when the topic was about imagining a different way of banking, imagining the future of banking in a quite subversive way.

Description of the exhibition from Design Informatics web site:
Can the most mundane of financial transactions be used as a force for good? Designer Patrick Stevenson-Keating tests the possibilities through his imaginary bank with its own notes, debit card and cash dispenser. Highlighting our normally passive role within the global economic system he shows that money and finance are not just tools for buying and selling but for shaping society. Reciprociti was commissioned through the Design Museum’s Designers in Residence programme 2014 and will be the first time it has been shown in Scotland.
Alongside Patrick’s installation will be the work of jewellers Jonathan Matthew Boyd and Adam Henderson which questions the perceptions of innate value by considering the materials, processes and concepts which determine it. Curated by Saltmarket Design, the exhibit explores these dynamics by displaying the use of current technologies, questioning physical form and how individuals use technology to create social dialogues.

 

 

After the first day of the exhibition one of the jewellery piece has been censored, as a customers argued that it was not appropriated for a bank. The piece is called WEAR A JONNY (gold brooches in the form of unused condoms):
The artists described it as follow: “JONNIES are the strangest commodity. The ultimate one-use product; their use can save lives and prevent disease. They are a cheap and effective product which despite their visual aesthetic should be celebrated. GOLD a commodity, which we hold in the highest value. A gold JONNY, question your values and wear with pride.”