A New Digital Enlightenment
Learn from the past, present it again, make it accessible.
TONIGHT 8:30pm Edinburgh Learn what people are doing to re-enlighten us through the knowledge and intellect of the past:
http://enlightenedinburgh.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/social-media-call/
This year’s final year atelier students should remember the proposal that started their projects and see the importance of what other people do.
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A New Digital Enlightenment - “REALM exceeds all expectations of reality” (Atelier Brief)
“ When investigating new architecture for expression, a key source of discouragement comes from one’s subconscious denial of the illogic presented before her. It is important not to forget that your conscious actions represent the courageous act of reaching deep into the chaotic mist of possibilities and extracting a small discernable, volume of hope.”
John Maeda
A New Digital Enlightenment
The Enlightenment changed the way Western European’s viewed the world and our place within it. Throwing off the shackles of religious doctrine; man was put at the center of purpose and his tools were science, reasoning, technological advancement and deep new thinking. The understanding of the man and his ability to control, manage, question and understand his influence as an individual pushed and changed the political spectrum; how he engaged with society and the world around them; and how he conducted his life and business. Furthermore it generated scientific platforms that would help change the nature of art and creativity. This science and technology based approach was not without criticism (no matter how influential) with responses that encouraged emotional, irrational and romantic views embodied in ‘Counter-Enlightenment’.
The ‘Enlightenment’ generated huge swathes of published thinking, shared science and technologies In the light of this view of human-technological advancement we are seeing new ways in which to be ‘enlightened’. It affects everything from the way we live and conduct our lives through to the arts and our entertainment, and to the opportunities afforded our personal creativity.
“Thus our task is to make a new kind of artist (designer)… We wish to make him conscious of his creative power, not scared of new facts, and independent of formulas in his own work.”
Bruno Munari
However, with greater understanding we generate greater blurring at the boundaries. Equally a meshing of science and technology with design, art and architecture that embed the import of emotions and experience has created a very interesting creative platform. This melting pot has further been stretched pushed and pulled by the rise of the prosumer, the intellect of the audience and the need for irreverent commentary, questioning and reasoning.
“New Hybrids of design are emerging. People don’t fit in neat categories; they’re a mixture of artists, engineers, designers, thinkers. They’re in that fuzzy space and might be finding it quite tough, but the results are really exciting”
Tony Dunne
The Designers Role
With this in mind how do you think you might explore the themes of a ‘new digital enlightenment’? Would “counter-enlightenment” with its emotional and irrational understandings need to be part of and as one with this ‘new digital enlightenment’? How might this view of progression make your own personal design interests groundbreaking and exciting? As a designer you will explore the very loose framework above to drive your inspiration to generate your own briefs that will formulate your dissertation and major project.
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