Need to Know   20 : 10 : 17
Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven

Need to Know
20 : 10 : 17

In today’s daily digest, LS:N Global previews five stand-out exhibitions at Dutch Design Week.

1. Design Academy Eindhoven students re-assess global issues 2. Dezeen explores the value of design in uncertain times 3. Speculative job agency caters for humans and robots 4. Dutch Invertuals presents designers’ defining objects 5. The internet as a tangible entity in the real world 6. Thought-starter: What is the value of speculative design?

1. Design Academy Eindhoven students re-assess global issues

The Legal Status of Ice by Irene Stracuzzi. Photography by Ronald Smits The Legal Status of Ice by Irene Stracuzzi. Photography by Ronald Smits
Fleur Hulleman for Design Academy Eindhoven Fleur Hulleman for Design Academy Eindhoven
Jiayu Wu for Design Academy Eindhoven Jiayu Wu for Design Academy Eindhoven
Nicole Stoddard for Design Academy Eindhoven Nicole Stoddard for Design Academy Eindhoven

Curated by Studio FormaFantasma co-founders and Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) graduates Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin, this year’s research-based graduate show from DAE explores the challenges facing the world through materials and digital artefacts.

What’s Mined is Yours comprises a collection of pieces that propose alternative business models and systems in a world of dwindling natural resources. Irene Stracuzzi’s The Legal Status of Ice project visualises the fierce political battle to control the Arctic – a region rich in natural gas and oil. The piece highlights how the fight for resources has overshadowed the more pressing issue of global warming’s effect on the polar ice caps, which are rapidly melting. For more on the need for sustainable business see our Whole-system Thinking macrotrend.

What's Mined is Yours runs from 21 to 29 October at De Witte Dame.

2. Dezeen explores the value of design in uncertain times

Good Design for a Bad World by Dezeen Good Design for a Bad World by Dezeen

Architecture and design magazine Dezeen will host a series of five free talks at Dutch Design Week. Chaired by Marcus Fairs, editor-in-chief at Dezeen, Good Design for a Bad World will explore themes including climate change, refugees, terrorism, pollution and politics, and feature contributions from thought-leaders such as humanitarian expert Kilian Kleinschmidt and architect Winy Maas.

‘For a long time it felt as if the design world had lost its moral compass, turning its back on social, political and environmental issues,' explains Fairs. ‘Designers seemed instead to seek fame for its own sake and frittered their problem-solving talents on trivial or indulgent projects.’ The talks will examine the move towards a more conscious design ethos among studios and industry luminaries. Read our Civic Brands macrotrend for more examples of brands moving to act as forces for good in society.

The talks will take place on 21 and 22 October at the People’s Pavilion.

3. Speculative job agency caters for humans and robots

HUBOT by Next Nature Network HUBOT by Next Nature Network
HUBOT by Next Nature Network HUBOT by Next Nature Network
HUBOT by Next Nature Network HUBOT by Next Nature Network
HUBOT by Next Nature Network HUBOT by Next Nature Network

In a world in which the rise of automation is threatening certain job types, conceptual job agency Hubot aims to alleviate job-seekers’ concerns by catering for both human and robot workers.

Visitors are invited to take the Hubot job test to determine which of Hubot’s 17 new job types are best suited to them. Many of the proposed job types require humans to work collaboratively with robots. As a Shiva Therapist, a human worker uses their hands as well as four robotic arms to massage customers.

The exhibition, which is located in one of consumer electronics retailer MediaMarkt’s stores, offers a glimpse into the future of professional human-robot relationships in a commercial setting.

Hubot runs from 21 to 29 October at MediaMarkt Eindhoven Centrum.

4. Dutch Invertuals presents designers’ defining objects

Fundamentals by Dutch Intervals Fundamentals by Dutch Intervals
Fundamentals by Dutch Intervals Fundamentals by Dutch Intervals

Fundamentals from Dutch Invertuals, guest-curated by Dutch studio Raw Color, is an exhibition of more than 800 objects from the design collective’s archives that profile the designers that have helped shape it over the past nine years. Taking their personal collections as a starting point, the designers will present insight into their individual design practices to offer a retrospective of their work as a whole.

Dutch Invertuals is known for creating new works for every show, so this journey into the past is an unusual move for the the Dutch collective that will enable visitors to ‘experience various views on form, material and beauty’.

Fundamentals runs from 21 to 29 October at NS Loods/studio Edhv.

5. The internet as a tangible entity in the real world

Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven
Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven
Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven
Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven Postcards from Google Earth by Clement Valla for Materialising the Internet, Eindhoven

Materialising the Internet combines the work of more than 20 international artists and designers who have transformed an aspect of the internet into something tangible. The exhibition suggests that the digital and physical worlds are no longer two separate entities, but are connected by our thoughts and desires, which act as a bridge to both. Curated by Nadine Roestenburg and Angelique Spaninks, the show explores how we can best represent these amalgamated worlds.

The exhibition features works such as Clement Valla’s Postcards from Google Earth, a combination of Google Earth images stitched together by Google’s software to create an imaginary world ‘where you’re as free as a bird’.

Materialising the Internet runs until 12 November at MU.

6. Thought-starter: What is the value of speculative design?

As consumers around the world strive to practise a more conscious form of consumption, design is moving from a product-based to a research-focused practice. At Dutch Design Week 2017, visual trends analyst Aleksandra Szymanska explores the value of speculative design.

Once filled with textiles and ceramics, the halls of Design Academy Eindhoven will this year serve as a platform for future scenarios, exploring topics such as the automation of the workplace and mixed reality experiences that enable us to ‘edit’ our lives. Traditionally viewed as a tool for answering problems and creating solutions, design is being repositioned as a methodology for asking questions and bringing a spectrum of potential futures to life.

While speculation does not provide answers to today’s problems, it forces us to think ahead and consider the effects of our actions. Are we happy with the world we are heading towards, or is it time to change gear? By helping to demystify the future, speculative design can be used as a tool to democratise this debate and enable more people to participate in the decision-making process.

For more highlights from Dutch Design Week 2017, keep an eye on our News section next week.

We know how you feel by VPRO Medialab for Dutch Design Week Eindhoven We know how you feel by VPRO Medialab for Dutch Design Week Eindhoven
Discover More News
Wildsmith translates tree intelligence into a sonic wellbeing journey

News

Wildsmith translates tree intelligence into a sonic wellbeing journey

Following its progressive moves into sustainable skincare and regenerative design, Wildsmith is now turning to sound as a wellness modality.
Beauty : Wellness : Nature
New study links increased social media use to later depression in youth

News

New study links increased social media use to later depression in youth

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found that higher social media use among tweens and teens may lead to increased depress...
Society : Health : Media
Stat: Study finds car usage and red meat consumption drive gender gap in carbon emissions

News

Stat: Study finds car usage and red meat consumption drive gender gap in carbon emissions

New research aiming to understand the distribution of carbon footprints across population groups reveals that traditional gender norms around food ...
Sustainability : Gender : Carbon Emissions
Disney unveils first-ever Middle East theme park on Yas Island

News

Disney unveils first-ever Middle East theme park on Yas Island

In a landmark moment for the entertainment and tourism sectors, The Walt Disney Company, in partnership with Miral, has announced the first-ever Di...
Abu Dhabi : Saudi Arabia : Travel And Hospitality
New data set helps identify culturally specific biases in LLMs

News

New data set helps identify culturally specific biases in LLMs

A new dataset called SHADES is helping researchers uncover how AI models internalise and reproduce harmful stereotypes in multiple languages.
AI : Technology : LLMs
Portugal tops list as Americans seek freedom abroad

News

Portugal tops list as Americans seek freedom abroad

In a recent survey of over 100,000 Americans considering emigration, Portugal has emerged as the top relocation destination. 
Travel : Society : Wellness
Electrolux launches campaign based on Swedish culture and values

News

Electrolux launches campaign based on Swedish culture and values

Multinational home appliance manufacturer Electrolux has launched a campaign celebrating core Swedish design values.
Home : Appliances : Advertising
Sober living meets social connection at NYC’s new members’ club The Maze

News

Sober living meets social connection at NYC’s new members’ club The Maze

New York City is set to welcome its first alcohol-free members’ club, The Maze, in autumn 2025.
Hospitality : Sober : Luxury
Stat: Brits Spend £439m a month to skip ads on top streaming platforms

News

Stat: Brits Spend £439m a month to skip ads on top streaming platforms

UK consumers are spending more than £439m each month, over £4.8bn annually, on ad-free streaming, according to new data from finance comparison sit...
Media : Entertainment : Streaming
AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

News

AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

Slovakia’s Klein Vision has announced that its AirCar – a road-legal vehicle that converts into a certified aircraft in under two minutes – will be...
Mobility : Air Travel : Transport
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN