BA HONS, GMD Ben Heathorn Craft or craftsman? Wherever there is a push in one direction, someone will push back. That is how we stand out. That is all anti design is, trying to be noticed and appreciated. In the right context, antidesign is simply digging your feet in and going against the grain of normal society. Industrialisation to arts and crafts, conformity to Punk, they both challenged the direction of the world which gained their spotlight. The industrial age sought to increase efficiency through the division of labour which the arts and crafts movement was strongly against due to the decrease in connection between craftsman and their work. William Morris was one of these individuals who strived to create meaningful and beautiful works that lasted. I would argue his, and others of the same belief’s actions can be labelled as anti-design. Morris has a clear vision for what industry production should look like which is stark contrast to the general progression of industry. This intern is a challenge of beliefs as well as breaking from the status quo. Digging our heels in... Breaking away from conformity, the punk era proved that beliefs in power systems are always challenged. Just as Morris would counter the industry, the up rise of punks sought to question those in charge. Economic devastation and poverty around Britain were taking its toll on the young and working class. All told to keep working and rebuilding the society to what it once was until some had enough. Punk aesthetic is notorious for being anti-establishment. When we are pushed too far we react by pushing back, Punks wore the distaste shown by the upper class as a badge of honour and made sure everyone knew who they were. Punks and the Arts and Crafts Movement are not a usual comparison, but they do show similarities. Whatever progression is made in one direction, another is made in the opposite direction. Punks were tired of being sold the image of conformity by a class that did not care about them. They made themselves stand out by going against, what was considered to be, the natural order of things. The Arts and crafts movement was a direct result of de personalising industry production and re centring the craftsmen with their craft. Both were born from belief. Both a direct response to what was the perceived progression of the times. Conformity in the face of change We can see this same power struggle with conformity today. The pandemic naturally made life more mundane and controlled. Our materialistic and consumerist society quickly met with their own reality of life outside of these ‘ordinary’ conventions. Some did not like the reflection starring back. Thus, people started moving onto more traditional hobbies, tropes of the arts and crafts era, making rugs, painting, and filling our homes with organic life such as plants, pets, and some cases children. People had rediscovered maximalism, after a very long period of modernism and minimalism, filling every blank space to create inspiration within four walls. People had instilled new hobbies as a direct consequence of staying home. Some no longer look for escapism through a world of products because they are not subjected to a world full of them. Now people no longer have an opportunity to escape the 9-5 with the pub, run away from an unhappy wife or avoid that cluttered loft. People have had no choice but to face these realities now that our world no longer enables them to escape. Some have chosen to take this time to grow and flourish within themselves or with family while others have had the world make tough decisions for them. We as individuals are making our homes our sanctuary rather than an intermittence between work and social lives. What can be taken from this? It is clear that progression is not linear. We as a community of individuals find it impossible to move forward in one direction. Trends come and go throughout history and so does design all the same but the question is ‘how will it evolve this time?’ Design is a pendulum of interest that never sits still, it will always keep swinging. In the time you have been alive, how many times have you changed your style, method of creation or reason for creating? We task ourselves to constantly learn and improve ourselves. Some choose to move with the times and others move the times forward. Ultimately, we all choose our paths and what to believe in. In design we do the same.
2 Comments
sarah temple
1/7/2022 02:58:39 am
Ben you have perceptively explored the relationship between politics and design. Morris wrote prolifically on the importance of equality, socialism and "managing ones own affairs unwastefully." Remember to reference in a bibliography at the end of your writing. Try and read Daniel Charney on the very contemporary V&A 'Power of Making" complimented by the political philosophy in the rise of craftivism - this could be a key theme in your SIP.
Reply
Robert Urquhart
1/7/2022 12:29:34 pm
I love the line 'Design is a pendulum of interest that never sits still, it will always keep swinging. In the time you have been alive, how many times have you changed your style, method of creation or reason for creating' the idea of a pendulum is interesting as it denotes a certain defined movement within a space - I wonder whether anti-design is the needed swing that brings it back and forth - thanks for sharing!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2022
Categories |