Challenge: From Ignorance, Genuine Interest, Good Questions, Deep Understanding,
Sincere Acceptance
Today's panel discussion was undertaken not to answer questions, but
to ask them. Before turning over the floor, designer Kenya Hara, an instrumental
member of the planning committee for this Congress, asked by implication
how we can translate and understand the Japanese term "bi" used as the
basis of the congress theme. To the official translation "quality", he
added many meanings included in Japanese, focusing on aesthetics and
beauty. By this he meant not the beauty associated with fine arts, which
has become traditional and staid, but that found in technology and science,
further linking "bi" to "information".
In individual presentations, the designers Kenya Hara, Keiko Hirano (Japan)
and Katherine McCoy (USA) showed some of their work in terms of design
problems (Questions) and solutions (Answers). Hara's presentation focused
on the question "how can intangible memories and associations be awakened
by design?" His projects focused on textures and the many "brains" represented
by sensory organs. Katherine McCoy's questioned designers' understanding
of cultural contexts that make or break the ability to communicate effectively.
A condom package specifically for those who listen to police radio and
live in inner cities was a fantastic example of basing design on the
reality of "cultural agreements". Keiko Hirano connected the Ise Shrine's
rebuilding every 20 years to the Japanese aesthetic sense, and explained
beauty as the will of God, carried through generations, but pointed out
that finding the content of beauty is the question. Richard Saul Wurman
agreed, saying there are many "hows", but only one "what". Designers
must look for the "what".
During the final, too-short dialogue session, moderator Andreas Schneider
was careful to point out that this was a starting point for questions
and understanding, not a conclusion. The entire session reminded us that
for the next three days we must strive to find the good question of Wurman,
the cultural agreements of McCoy, the beauty of Hirano and the sensuality
of Hara. (MH)
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