Low-tech show: Designers go easy in Switzerland

Lausanne, Switzerland – During the 14th Designers’ Saturday in Langenthal, the École Cantonale d’Art de Lausanne (ECAL) exhibited the Low-Tech Factory collection of production pieces.

The student-made installations propose low-tech solutions to making things, and re-assess the ritual behind the creation of products. Oncle Sam, by Laurent Beirnaert, Pierre Bouvier and Paul Tubiana, makes popcorn one kernel at a time, emphasising the individual transformation of the corn.

Another installation, Rocking Knit, also alters the craft process. Cogs powered by the rocking of the chair drive a knitting mechanism that weaves wool into a tube that can be turned into a hat.

These are just two examples from the show that illustrate a rising trend in design to revert to low-tech practices and machines. For more, read our recent coverage from design fairs in our Shows section.