‘Design and the Elastic Mind‘ - an exhibition on at moma where the line between real and the artificial blur and our lives change irrevocably- and naturally so do the possibilities of design.
complicated questions are raised when looking at the work. while the exhibition consists of such jaw dropping oddnesses like 'what is the form of artificial meat? how can we imagine the new toys for children with artificial skin?'; there also more complicated ethical issues being debated. is there romanticism possible in the when the natural exists only as a simulacra we participate in constructing willingly?
the answer to questions regarding sustainability lie in a return to unpolluted nature? or an idealized past? were the futurists right? does the salvation of humankind's relationship lie not in de-technologizing ourselves like flower children but on the other in an active participation in the world of artifice (what is that anyway). isn't any cultural form artificial anyways? is there an answer to all al gore complains about in these new technologies- learning from biology- artificial life forms - that might disturb our sensibilities now, but might be the road to a sustainable future?
in 'never let me go', ishiguro gently sucks us into a world where we identify with the artificial and frightens us to death. a real horror story.
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