You Shall Own Nothing, Go Nowhere, ‘Eat ze Cancerous Bugs’ and Be Happy

Hansen-Hansen, Erik (2024) You Shall Own Nothing, Go Nowhere, ‘Eat ze Cancerous Bugs’ and Be Happy. In: P/References of Design. Cumulus conference proceedings series, 1 . Cumulus Association, Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design Budapest, Budapest, pp. 1217-1223. ISBN 978-952-7549-02-5

Text 0bf38179-c9ce-4660-a2be-0427961b3c26 - Published Version Download (5MB)

Abstract

Oppose 1984 in 2030: Keeping the UN Goals on an ethical path' (short: Oppose1984in2030) is a Critical Design project currently being developed by the author at The Royal Danish Academy Architecture, Design, Conservation. This experimental academic practice-based research project involves communication design (graphic design on t-shirt artifacts) combined with ongoing critical meta-research in the political economy of sustainability issues. The project aligns itself with the approach of critical design in questioning conventional design norms. However, it diverges from the typical speculative design by not aiming to create designs based on favored visions. Instead, it takes a contrasting stance, serving as a precautionary measure by designing against undesirable (totalitarian) future scenarios. While oppose1984in2030 is grounded in the critical design discipline, its purpose extends beyond merely challenging established modes of thinking and behavior; it serves a more idealistic and impactful role: The emphasis is entirely on being critical to confront the totalitarian blueprints being pursued by an expansive oligarchic global system of monopoly capitalism who uses sustainability discourse to lead humanity towards '1984 in 2030'; a phrase inspired by the title of George Orwell's renowned novel but combined with the UN's sustainability visions of Agenda 2030. Like typical critical design, the design activism of this project is not driven by commercial considerations. However, the design prototypes of oppose1984in2030 are not industrial design as in the work of Dunne & Raby (2001, 2013). Instead, the territory is communication design; the t-shirt artefacts with typography signify something about sustainability and totalitarian issues that are exterior to the actual prototypes. The prototypes can be reproduced in several copies to let the design engage in everyday life through t-shirt-wearing subjects. The subject's experience can then later be introduced into an exhibition space through visuals and written information. The concept of 'Aesthetic Resistance,' as formulated by John Steppling (2020), serves as a distinct source of inspiration. Stepping advocates for an art form existing outside of the mainstream cultural institutions, challenging dominant political and cultural narratives, and he emphasizes the importance of artists and activists in diverse forms of resistance, such as street art, graffiti, and performance. The slides present the project with a focus on visual examples of artefacts as well as aspects like the project's theoretical and methodological foundations inclusive of oppose1984in2030's contribution to the fields of critical and speculative design and some of the employed design processes and internal project constraints. Two theoretical levels are operative: one pertains to the meta-theory employed in the critical pursuit, encompassing the project's ideological and analytical stances (e.g., Agamben 2021, Elmer 2023, McDowell 2020, Prins 2022, Wood 2015, Zuboff 2019); the other concerns the domains of critical and speculative design, alongside t-shirt design and Aesthetic Resistance as instrumental tools for resisting oppressive social, political, and economic systems.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item