Catching up on some long overdue blogpost drafts …
Ever wondered what a flooded London might look like? Visual powerhouse Squint Opera squeezed out some fascinating images, which were featured as an exhibition during the London Architecture festival this summer.
“The general scenario is set 80 or so years into the future, long after the sea levels have risen. The catastrophic side of the sea coming in has long since past and the five images are snapshots of people going about their lives, having adapted to the city’s new circumstance.”
Click here to view a slideshow of their lovely mattepaintings.
In 1975 Ernest Callenbach published Ecotopia (revisited by NY Times here), a novel which quickly gained cult status (see also video). Three years later, fascinated by the book, architect Craig Hodgetts (of Hodgetts+Fung Design) crafted a set of amazing drawings depicting some of the scenes and concept envisioned in the book, eager to produce Ecotopia for the big screen. Imagine retro-yet-ever-so-futuristic balloon generators over San Francisco Bay, solar-powered high-speed mag-lev trains, helium-filled mylar balloons to lift and orient a wind-powered generator, …
Callenbach said it right: “It is so hard to imagine anything fundamentally different from what we have now, but without these alternate visions, we get stuck on dead center.”
S1NGLETOWN focuses on the world of contemporary singles. Its relevance is broad, as all of us are likely to belong to this group at some stage in our lives — and likely more than once. In fact, some sources predict that a third of people in developed countries will be living alone by 2026.
S1NGLETOWN is an exhibition that’s also a town, an abstract interpretation of a new kind of urban space. Visitors will be able to walk its streets and interact with its products and citizens, and view their homes.
The concept is a beautiful illustration of a persona-like approach, typecasting different types of singles and imaginatively describe their world, ways of living using their point of experience as a point of departure. Although designed in a beautiful, powerful yet fairly abstract way, one is fully immersed in this ‘view on the world’ being able to walk around in S1NGLETOWN through an exhibition.
Forget microfilm, here is the nanobook. Together with the Nano Imaging Facility of Simon Fraser University , artist Robert Chaplin created the world’s first nanobook “Teeny Ted from Turnip Town”, measuring a mere 69 x 97 microns. And yes, the book has an ISBN number.
Nanotechnology is not only inspiring many artists and designers, also the scientists and technologists are starting to see the potential of art and design to catalyze dialogue between the labworld and society at large. In similar fashion, the belgian nanotech player IMEC teamed up with our friends over at AddictLab a while ago. The project, named “in.tangible/scape.s” aims to bring the fascinating yet often obscure world of nanotechnology to life through art and design, a wonderful way to breathe life into yet nonexisting futures. An inspiration book on the results of the joint research project is under publication.
Together, both partners also set up NanoDesignAwards, of which the first edition will take place in 2009.
A few years ago the World Bank noted that “If the wars of the twentieth century were fought over oil, the wars of this century will be fought over water.” After all, a little less than 1% of the earth’s water is suitable for drinking. But water is also more than a physical need, an environmental context, it is part of humanity’s identity through rituals, culture etc.
In the belgian town of Hasselt, the culture and arts centre Z33 - building a strong reputation internationally (see also the International Herald Tribune article) with a series of thought provoking exhibitions – currently showcases a fascinating exhibition “1% water“ on the theme of water and our challenges for the future. Curated by Ilse Crawford (heading the “man & wellbeing” department at Eindhoven’s Design Academy) and Jane Withers (design consultant, curator, writer), “The exhibition aims to be a catalyst for change, reconnecting us physically and psychologically to water and helping us to shape a sustainable future.”
The exhibition is split up into 4 main thematic areas. There is the water archive, an aquatic laboratory displaying a huge collection of bottles filled with water collected locally in different contexts, by different people. AbUse attempts to raise awareness about the precarious situation of global water supply. Art and design give form to and shape experience of issues such as pollution, scarcity, water footprint etc. Sacred waters shows the visitor the central role water has played and continues to play throughout human history, mythology and culture. On an experimental note, Reconnect shows initiatives aimed at turning the tide, from purifying water to revive our intimate relationship with water, utilizing the boundless, passionate powers of art and design.
Check out this pdf for some visual impressions. Yet if you can, go and check out the exhibition for yourself (until 28/09/2008), you will not be disappointed!
Our interview with Tom Klinkowstein & Irene Pereyra on their project “a day in the life of a networked designer’s smart things or a day in a designer’s networked smart things, 2030″, led to an exhibition “It’s about time!” at Designcenter De Winkelhaak in Antwerp. Tom & Irene opened the exhibition on June 6th. Thanks again for being here, you were great!
Pantopicon participated in the exhibition with a triple video interview by Nik with 3 of Belgium’s top design talents: Bram Boo, Casimir & Nedda El-Asmar on their reflections about design today, technologies, design in the future, their futures.
Come and check us out! (exhibition on show until August 31st).
Guy Pieters Gallery in the coastal town of Knokke-Heist, Belgium, is currently (May 11th until June 2nd) host to a fascinating exhibition by the artist Jacques Charlier, entitled ‘Art in Another Way’.
Charlier, born in Liège (B) in 1939, masters a wide range of media, yet turned to good ol’ painting for this specific exhibition, which projects developments in current day culture and society into the future. Scenes in vivid colours against the night’s sky and with stars and planets as main actors, picture worlds many years ahead. The present and the future meet in clever ways on Charlier’s canvas, in what some might dub a retrofuturistic style.
Gene therapy, RFID, human cloning, climate change, teleportation, space travel, the year 4958, black holes, Planck’s wall, android love affairs, … they all play a part in Charlier’s artistic future(s) explorations.
For those of you in the neighbourhood, go check it out, it’s worth it!
PS. Don’t be fooled by the fact that all works are signed 2007. The artist envisioned and has been working on the exhibition as a whole for many years. He added the final touch to all the works in 2007, hence the signature date.
Konstfack, the Swedish University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, ran an exhibition at the Gallerian shopping mall in Stockholm recently, exploring the future of shopping entitled … FutureShopping. Guided by Design United’s Christine Hedström and Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Ronald Jones 13 students showcased their exploration of the future of shopping from the perspective of the consumption of luxury goods. The project also featured a seminar on the theme with guest speakers from areas such as design, branding, marketing, strategy etc.
“By studying research material and using trend analysis the students have worked around the changing consumptions patterns in the future and also come up with an answer to the question; What is luxury in 20 years?”
From February 1st until March 30th, FACT – the Foundation for Art & Creative Technology in Liverpool – is organising the exhibition ‘sk-interfaces’.
“A groundbreaking exhibition on the uncertain limits between art and science, sk-interfaces explores, materially and metaphorically, the concept of skin as a technological interface. This multi-disciplinary exhibition launches FACT’s Human Futures programme.”
The Human Futures programme is divided into 4 main themes myBody (the biological environment and our relationship to the body), myMind (the digital environment and our relationship to artificial life), myWorld (the physical world and our relationship to the natural and built environment). The MyBody programme to be kickstarted with sk-interfaces, also includes film evenings (e.g. Peter Greenaway’s “The Pillow Book“ on Feb 6, “ORLAN, Carnal Art“ on Feb 27, “Strange culture“ on March 19).
Among the work on showcase at sk-interfaces are “designer hymens by medical artist Julia Reodica [vivolabs], a coat made of blended skin cultures by legendary French artist ORLAN, Jun Takita‘s model brain infused with glowing moss, and biotechnological ‘leather’ growing in the galleries by the Tissue Culture & Art Project“. The exhibition is curated by bio-art specialist Jens Hauser, tapping into science, politics, philosophy and architecture.
On February 8th and 9th, a conference will provide the forum for a more in depth discussion of aesthetic, philosophical, scientific and medical.
The notions of technology moving from 3rd (building, e.g. ambient intelligence) to 2nd (clothing, e.g. smart textiles) to first skin (e.g. dermal interfaces) to within (e.g. implants) is a powerful stimulant for future-oriented thought dealing not only with issues of new patterns of interaction etc. but also of notions of identity, humanity etc.
… or mobile phone novels are topping sales charts in Japan. Not only are they read, many of them have also been written on a mobile phone. During the first half of 2007, half of Japan’s top-10 selling works of fiction were written on a cellphone. Some even turn to bestsellers in hardcover versions after making their way from ‘the small screen’ onto the old luxury called paper (e.g. Koizora by Mika sold 1.2 million copies).
Some speak of a mere fad, while others see the birth of a major cultural change. Note that in any case, mobile phone novels are not merely a change of medium, but a change of language and a wide range of cognitive, socio-cultural and artistic processes involved.
Think about the graphical nature and cultural context of Japanese language however – likely being more apt for this kind of reading & writing experience – before you try to hype the concept in our Western world.
For a long time, Japan has been aware of a tremendous challenge it faces, which is the rapid ageing of its population. Instead of focusing unilaterally on medicine, medical care, labor and social security system innovations, as many countries do, Japan has been investing heavily in robotics and cybernetics in order to amplify and expand its shrinking ‘human’ workforce as well as help to cater for the needs of elderly.
“What would it be like to live in a world in which robotic assistants are ubiquitous?”, was a question burning in the back of Martin Postler‘s mind. Starting at the Kyoto University of Arts and finishing it at the Royal College of Arts Design Products Department, he ran a project titled “Life/Machines”.
“Life Machines engages with the question of how an ageing population’s needs can be met through technology. It investigates a possible future society in which humans and robots coexist in domestic spaces and asks what issues arise in a symbiotic relationship between humans and technology. Questions about what kind of compromises and adjustments will have to be made are explored through scenarios of everyday routines in the relationship of an ageing individual and a robot. The design of domestic objects that reflect the needs of both machines and humans becomes a tool for exploring the human condition and our fascination with using technology to recreate ourselves.”
In a fascinating, very tangible and confronting way, the project gives a what if look into a possible future, questioning both the human and robotic condition. Several contextual themes shaped by human needs such as nutrition, hygiene and leisure are addressed.
Note: Do check out also PostlerFerguson’s other fascinating work on their website. As a matter of fact they also exhibited new work on futures of food during London’s Design Week in an exhibition titled “The future on your plate” at Designersblock07.
Most of you over here in Europe will know South-African director and filmmaker Neill Blomkamp as the man behind the Citroën Transformer ad. More interestingly Neill developed a unique personal style in blending live action with computer graphics. In a powerful and very convincing, believable documentary kind of way he brings robotic futures to life.
Alive in Joburg shows a future in which robots and aliens live amongst people in the South-African townships. Make sure to check out Tetra Vaal as well, or Tempbot, in which a company has a robot as an intern …
Documentaries provide a tapestry, a weaving of information from different perspectives in a sober ‘observatory’, report-like style that enhances believability. As such, the format is particularly powerful to ‘report’ on yet inexistent situations, to bring possible futures to life as if they were today.
Note: Neill has been filming on our doorstep, in front of our offices here in Antwerp this June. Next time you are around, Neill, make sure to give us a ring …
Another amazing robot-related commercial was done by Dante Ariola and Christopher Glass for Johnnie Walker. Dubbed ‘Human‘, the ad – done in cooperation with The Mill (see making-of) – reflects in a smart way upon the manner in which robots and humans look at each other’s reality, each other’s ‘being’.
The present can be a great stimulant to think about the future. A high emotional response to the rights and wrongs today is a powerful way to enhance contrast between the present and the future, to think further ahead, to be less bound by today’s reality, while staying in context.
John Berger once said: “We only see what we look at. To look is an act of choice.”Edward Burtynsky chose to look at our planet there where our impact on its landscape is strongly visible. He lets us look through his eye and judge for ourselves.
As a movie, Manufactured landscapes won the 2007 Genie Award for Best Documentary. Some of the amazing imagery reminds of Godfrey Reggio’s famous Qatsi trilogy.
Photo by Edward Burtynsky
Finally got it online, Serge. Thanks again for the pointer.
Many immediately associate Italy with its Roman, Etruscan past … Yet the Italians have quite a history in future-related stuff as well. Think of the utopian city designs of Paolo Soleri, Marinetti’s futurist movement … or Joe Colombo? The famous Italian designer who died way to young at age 41 designed everything from lighting, to seats, to underground cities, James Bond like environments where screens fold out of the ceiling, climate controlled sleeping cells, pivoting walls etc. Vitra’s exhibition on Joe Colombo’s life and achievements (curated together with the Triennale di Milano and Studio Joe Colombo) has been on tour for almost two years now and is currently on show at the Museum for Decorative Arts in Paris, France.
For those of you still planning their summer city trip or European tour, pay it a visit while you still can.
“The possibilities presented by the extraordinary development of audiovisual processes are enormous … Distances will no longer have much importance; no longer will there be any justification for the ‘megalopolis’ … Furnishings will disappear … the habitat will be everywhere … Now, if the elements necessary to human existence could be planned with the sole requirements of maneuverability and flexibility … , then we would create an inhabitable system that could be adapted to any situation in space and time …”
The city-tour foundation Antwerpen Averechts recently launched a new initiative called the cityLabo. CityLabo wishes to question people’s relationship with their city, to interact with and dialogue with them through various means. How do inhabitants and visitors of the city experience their city of the 21st century? Will it be a safe haven or a grim environment? What does the ideal city look like for a common urban dweller or an urban expert, planner, architect? What could these parties mean to each other?
CityLabo currently organizes an exhibition at the Permeke city library in Antwerp (Belgium), featuring the work of eight young graphic illustrators who draw their future city as they hope, fear, expect it to be.
Catching up on some long overdue blogpost drafts …
In 1975 
At the inspiring 
A few years ago the World Bank noted that “If the wars of the twentieth century were fought over oil, the wars of this century will be fought over water.” After all, a little less than 1% of the earth’s water is suitable for drinking. But water is also more than a physical need, an environmental context, it is part of humanity’s identity through rituals, culture etc.
Our 
Guy Pieters Gallery
From February 1st until March 30th, 
… or mobile phone novels are topping sales charts in Japan. Not only are they read, many of them have also been written on a mobile phone. During the first half of 2007, half of Japan’s top-10 selling works of fiction were written on a cellphone. Some even turn to bestsellers in hardcover versions after making their way from ‘the small screen’ onto the old luxury called paper (e.g. Koizora by Mika sold 1.2 million copies).
For a long time, Japan has been aware of a tremendous challenge it faces, which is the rapid ageing of its population. Instead of focusing unilaterally on medicine, medical care, labor and social security system innovations, as many countries do, Japan has been investing heavily in robotics and cybernetics in order to amplify and expand its shrinking ‘human’ workforce as well as help to cater for the needs of elderly.
Most of you over here in Europe will know South-African director and filmmaker 
The present can be a great stimulant to think about the future. A high emotional response to the rights and wrongs today is a powerful way to enhance contrast between the present and the future, to think further ahead, to be less bound by today’s reality, while staying in context.
Many immediately associate Italy with its Roman, Etruscan past … Yet the Italians have quite a history in future-related stuff as well. Think of the utopian city designs of Paolo Soleri, Marinetti’s futurist movement … or 
The city-tour foundation 
