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
The Future Laboratory and Bacardi investigate cocktail culture in 2025

News

The Future Laboratory and Bacardi investigate cocktail culture in 2025

Bacardi, in collaboration with The Future Laboratory, has released its cocktail trend report for 2025, forecasting a transformative year for the sp...
Drink : Spirits : Food
LG Display unveils world’s first stretchable display with 50% expandability

News

LG Display unveils world’s first stretchable display with 50% expandability

LG Display has achieved a major milestone in display technology with the launch of the world’s first stretchable display, capable of expanding by u...
Technology : Design : AI
New research finds that cannabinol significantly improves sleep

News

New research finds that cannabinol significantly improves sleep

Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Lambert Initiative have found new evidence supporting cannabinol (CBN) as an effective sleep aid.
Health : Wellness : Medicine
Stat: Teens face weekly exposure to conspiracy theories

News

Stat: Teens face weekly exposure to conspiracy theories

A new study by the News Literacy Project reveals that teens encounter conspiracy theories on their social media feeds at least once a week, yet mos...
Pop Culture : Youth : Media
Chester Zoo rebrands as a force for nature

News

Chester Zoo rebrands as a force for nature

Chester Zoo has unveiled a rebrand developed in partnership with branding agency How&How. 
Sustainability : Design : Advertising
Gobi Cashmere revitalises brand identity with Mongolian roots

News

Gobi Cashmere revitalises brand identity with Mongolian roots

Mongolian cashmere giant Gobi has unveiled a refreshed brand identity deeply rooted in its heritage and sustainable ethos.
Culture : Design : Fashion
Mall of the Emirates reveals new arts hub with musicals, plays and shows in mind

News

Mall of the Emirates reveals new arts hub with musicals, plays and shows in mind

Mall of the Emirates is set to debut New Covent Garden, a cultural landmark for Dubai’s thriving arts scene.
Retail : Entertainment : UAE
Stat: Demand for green talent surges as supply struggles to keep pace

News

Stat: Demand for green talent surges as supply struggles to keep pace

The global drive for sustainability is transforming job markets, with demand for green talent increasing annually by 5.9% between 2021 and 2024, ac...
Sustainability : Workplace : Youth
Elie Saab marks 45 years with a show of unapologetic grandeur

News

Elie Saab marks 45 years with a show of unapologetic grandeur

Elie Saab, a master of haute couture, celebrated the 45th anniversary of his eponymous fashion house in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fashion : Luxury : Design
Friendswithyou, fuzzy AI robots exhibition opens at Cleveland Public Library

News

Friendswithyou, fuzzy AI robots exhibition opens at Cleveland Public Library

Art duo FriendsWithYou has unveiled The BAND, a playful installation of five fuzzy, autonomous robots at Cleveland Public Library.
Design : Technology : Youth
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