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 Trend: Deep Sea Wellness

News

The Trend: Deep Sea Wellness

The beauty and wellness industries are looking to the ocean as a new research and innovation hub for skincare and hydration solutions. 
Health : Wellness : Beauty
Download the Future Forecast 2025 report

News

Download the Future Forecast 2025 report

Now that you know what shaped 2024, discover what’s on the horizon. Download our Future Forecast 2025 report comprising 50 new trends across 10 key...
Future Forecast
The Big Idea: Wellrooms in 2035

News

The Big Idea: Wellrooms in 2035

The bathroom is evolving into the wellroom, expanding in size, intelligence and function to meet consumers’ health and wellness needs. 
Health : Wellness : Design
The Campaign: LG unveils AI-activated Menopause Mode air conditioning units

News

The Campaign: LG unveils AI-activated Menopause Mode air conditioning units

LG is beta testing Menopause Mode, a new initiative aimed at alleviating the intense hot flushes experienced by menopausal women.
Health : Wellness : Menopause
The Viewpoint: HerMD is driving the future of women’s health

News

The Viewpoint: HerMD is driving the future of women’s health

Dr Somi Javaid, founder and chief medical officer of HerMD, tells LS:N Global how its clinics can help fix a broken healthcare system and close the...
Health : Wellness : Women's Health
The Space: The Emory opens longevity and wellness members’ club Surrenne

News

The Space: The Emory opens longevity and wellness members’ club Surrenne

In April 2024, Surrenne at The Emory, Belgravia, opened its doors, promising a holistic approach to wellness and longevity in a luxurious...
Health : Wellness : Luxury
The Trend: Decolonised Cowboy Core

News

The Trend: Decolonised Cowboy Core

Black musicians, designers, film-makers and artists are reshaping the American cowboy archetype, sparking a cultural renaissance with enduring impact.
Fashion : Pop-culture & Media : Luxury
The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Ssense

News

The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Ssense

Amid a tough landscape for multi-brand luxury e-tailers, Ssense stands out by blending emerging talents, legacy brands, pop culture, data and strat...
Fashion : Luxury : Design
The Campaign: Eckhaus Latta trades classic fashion show for a dinner party

News

The Campaign: Eckhaus Latta trades classic fashion show for a dinner party

 In an era when the relevance of fashion shows is being questioned, American brand Eckhaus Latta delivered an alternative that felt refreshingly pe...
Fashion : Luxury : Design
The Viewpoint: Premium Fashion’s Comeback

News

The Viewpoint: Premium Fashion’s Comeback

The premium contemporary fashion category is making a strong comeback as a chic, affordable alternative to luxury’s ever-rising prices, bridging th...
Fashion : Luxury : Retail
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