Book launch:
DESIGN ACT Socially and politically engaged design today — critical roles and emerging tactics
Time:
30 September, 6-8 pm
Place:
EXD’11
Lounging Space,
Antigo Tribunal da Boa-Hora,
Lisbon, Portugal
Programme:
Presentation of the DESIGN ACT book by the editors Magnus Ericson and Ramia Mazé followed by a panel discussion with Joseph Grima, Meike Schalk (both contributors to the book) and Lisa Rosendahl, Iaspis director. Moderator: Annika Enqvist, project co-ordinator, Iaspis
DESIGN ACT Socially and politically engaged design today — critical roles and emerging tactics is a new book that presents and discusses contemporary design practices that engage with political and societal issues. Since 2009, Iaspis’ and Interactive Institute’s collaboration DESIGN ACT has been highlighting and discussing practices, in which designers have been engaging critically as well as practically in such issues. Itself an example of applied critical thinking and experimental tactics, the process behind the DESIGN ACT project is considered as a curatorial, participatory and open-ended activity. DESIGN ACT has developed through a website with an online archive; public seminars; presentations and an international network of practitioners, theoreticians and curators.
The book is organized around three sections:
‘WHAT are examples of these movements?’ Contemporary and historical writings, including reprints of ‘Suicidal Desires’ (from the book Superstudio: Life Without Objects, by Peter Lang and William Menking) and ‘Designer as Author’ (from the book Design Noir by Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby), historical reflections by Helena Mattsson and Christina Zetterlund and an interview with Doina Petrescu (FR) by Ramia Mazé.
‘HOW does it happen and what does it take?’ A substantial analysis of the tactics and methods of the examples of projects featured in the DESIGN ACT archive, by Ramia Mazé and Natasha Marie Llorens.
‘WHERE does it happen and in what contexts?’ A broad perspective on practice from institutions, education and research to new forms of practitioner initiated projects: Interviews with Pelin Dervis (TK), Joseph Grima (IT/US), Ou Ning (CH), Meike Schalk (SE/DE), Yanki Lee (UK), Ana Betancour (SE), Otto von Busch (SE), Mauricio Carbalan (AR) and Tor Lindstrand (SE), by Magnus Ericson.
The book also includes descriptions of 36 projects from the DESIGN ACT archive by:
A+URL, Camilla Andersson, Anti-Advertising Agency, Jon Ardern and Benedict Singleton, atelier d’architecture autogérée, Otto von Busch, Constant in collaboration with Recyclart, City Mine(d) and Speculoos, Dunne & Raby, eskyiu, Fantastic Norway, Aslı Kıyak Ä°ngin and Teike Asselbergs, International Festival with Front, Natalie Jeremijenko and the xClinic staff, Yanki Lee with Paula Dib, live|work, m7red, MINE, muf, New Beauty Council, Josh On, Marjetica PotrÄ and STEALTH in collaboration with A5 Arkitekter, Michael Rakowitz, Raumlaborberlin, Hannah le Roux, School of Missing Studies/Centrala — Foundation for Future Cities, Stalker, Think Public, Unsworn Industries and Zoom Architecture
This book is a final and complimentary part of the project DESIGN ACT, produced by Iaspis, published by Sternberg Press and edited by the founders of the DESIGN ACT project, Magnus Ericson and Ramia Mazé.
Iaspis is the Swedish Arts Grants Committee’s International Programme for Visual Arts. The main purpose is to promote dialogue between practitioners in Sweden and the international scene. Iaspis encompasses an international studio program in Sweden, a support structure for exhibitions and residences abroad for Swedish-based practitioners, and a program of seminars, exhibitions and publications.
www.iaspis.se The Interactive Institute is a Swedish IT research institute that combines expertise in art, design and technology. Pioneering societal and sustainable approaches to world-leading applied research, the institute develops new research areas, products and services, and provides research and strategic advice to corporations and public organizations.
www.tii.se EXD’11 EXD (Experimenta) is an international biennale dedicated to design, architecture and creativity; a forward-thinking platform that cultivates and analyses contemporary culture through discussion and reflection. It is a springboard for up-andcoming talent and experimentation in different formats, from exhibitions to urban interventions, debates and lectures. Focusing on people and ideas, the biennale’s programme is designed to provide insight and incentive to both a specialized audience and the public at large, disseminating information and provoking debate.
www.experimentadesign.pt 
