Wednesday 16 February 2011

Sustainism

I have been very interested by “Sustainism is the New Modernism: A Cultural Manifesto for the Sustainist Era”, by Michiel Schwarz and Joost Elffers. (Distribution Art Publisher, New York).
Sustainism includes what makes, or what could make, the world sustainable, but it is much more than that. It is about a world where everything is connected, interdependent, local and globalized, ecological and digital. 
This is the culture of networks, sharing, borrowing, and open exchange.
It is about being in phase with time and places. 
“Sustainity is not intent on making everything global but recognizes that all locals are globally connected”.
It favors selective slowness and appropriate speeds, which replace the modernist fascination for the “Beauty of Speed”.
“Sustainist design connects with our life-world, focusing not just on function and form but on the meanings we create and the experiences we produce”. 
Modernism:  Form follow Function. Sustainism: Meanings follow Connections.
Sustainist design is responsible design, it is socially and environmentally conscious”.
“Smart consumerism equals socially and environmentally conscious consumption”.
Being myself socially and environmentally conscious, this book made me think about how I could evolve my work in a more sustainist way. We designers-makers are already part of this cultural movement, in the way that we oppose mass production of short-life products. My reflexion is now how to do more, producing locally with local artists and makers, sourcing materials locally, recycling, though inventing new ways, new designs, always looking forward to the future and not turning back to the past.

Monday 7 February 2011

Oslo Lifestyle Luxury Fair

I just come back from the Oslo Lifestyle luxury fair. That was great, with many different nice products. Due to the variety of products, of course not everybody was interested in everything, but I got many good reactions, both to the designs themselves and to the fact that the furnitures are handmade in Norway. Many people who asked if I was an importer, were pleased to learn that I designed and made the furniture myself in Norway.
Something I heard several times: "Cool furniture, but it doesn't fit in every interior". Of course, and that's what means Bespoke Furniture, I can make something that will be original, unique, and that will fit your interior.