MDE1 Theory Exploration
FAO: Brigitta Zics
Name: Justin Gould-Davies
Student no: 20342705
Date: 16/01/2009
Word Count: 2488
Soundchaser an Exploration Into
‘On Purpose Design’
Contents
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Introduction
The Arnolfini Art Gallery
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Chapter 1
On Purpose: Design Concept at the Arnolfini
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Chapter 2
Yuri Suzuki – Designer & Musician
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Chapter 3
Sound Chaser – Designed by Yuri Suzuki
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Chapter 4
Meta-Design
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Conclusion
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References
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Bibliography
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Figures
Introduction
The Arnolfini Art Gallery
The Arnolfini is a somewhat disguised art gallery based at the harbourside in
Bristol city centre. From the outside it looks more like a trendy wine bar than
an art gallery, and inside it is sparse, but deliberate in styling, with vast
open light areas. Within the foyer you are greeted by the ‘Do Hit Chair’, which was designed by Marijn Van Der Poll. The ‘Do Hit Chair’ was created on the day of the opening. Crafted out of a cube of steel various
people attending the opening repeatedly hit the steel cube with a specially
crafted sledgehammer. Taking turns to hit the steel cube without a preordained
agenda they arrived at a chair like shape. The cube now resembles sculptured
piece of art whilst retaining its functionality as useable chair. This is where
the ‘On Purpose: Design Concepts’ exhibition began. The exhibition had taken place between September and November
2008.
Figure 1. Do Hit Chair - Marijn Van Der Poll
Chapter 1
On Purpose : Design Concepts at the Arnolfini
The idea of the exhibition is to question whether the exhibits have a useable
purpose, whilst also questioning the boundaries of art versus design and
whether they can stand shoulder to shoulder on the same platform. The exhibits
all have certain constraints that could be perceived to cause loss of function
or indeed point of usability.
Arnolfini invited a collective of modern day designers who are currently
experimenting with the use of anti-aesthetics whilst questioning function over
form. Not all of the exhibits are even visually pleasing to the eye, which
again questions whether the function over form can be considered design. The
design worlds need for the aesthetic is thrown open to controversy by the very
nature of the exhibits.
There were many exhibits at the gallery but here are a few examples.
The ‘Counterbalance Shelves’ created by Daniel Eatock. They are three neatly stacked upright shelves that
only use one bracket to hold them up. The shelves can only remain standing if
the balance of the objects on them is exact, otherwise the shelves will fall
down.
Figure 2. Counterbalance Shelves – Daniel Eatock
The ‘Switch’ by Savage questions the purpose of usability. There are a couple of discreetly
positioned light switches that are placed around Arnolfini. The light switches
are connected to lights that are not visible within the vicinity. The lights
can be turned on or off by the switches but the results cannot be seen by the
switch controller but only by unsuspecting Arnolfini visitors.
Figure 3. Switch - Savage
