Design

In recent years, strange – ambiguous, dysfunctional, enigmatic, and complicated – objects have emerged in the world of design. These objects are based on an approach that has been called anti-design, radical, conceptual, or critical design – a speculative design that instead of offering solutions raises questions. Design that is not subject to the imperatives of the power structures of society, but is instead critical. Via a strategy of modifying objects away from their usual forms and utilitarian functions, this design evokes unusual uses and behaviours. With contributions by Gijs Bakker, Jurgen Bey, Bless, Didier Faustino, Alessandro Mendini, and Ugo La Pietra among others.