Dear all,
First, please let me make clear I’m not claiming to have the answers here. In fact that's why I am questioning and sharing my thoughts here. I’ll begin with answering some of Johannes’ question about Baltan related to fundamental research. We’re not conducting fundamental research necessarily. In fact we're often involved with (industrial and social) designers. Especially in the field of Design the research of ideas and solutions is often based on trying to find a solution, rather then trying to raise new questions. (This might suggest a strong divide which should not be seen as an absolute given;-). Often designers are improving, enhancing, augmenting a certain product or idea, and therefore could be seen as an analogy to the principles of applied research vs fundamental research, just to add that the latter is less solution driven and more open from the beginning (imo).
I reflected upon the developments as they happened in the 20th century, mapping Natlab’s historic narrative as a possible scenario of these economic changes in science research, and as a possible analogy of the developments in the Arts and Culture vs Creative industries. Not necessarily suggesting that the same is exactly happing now, just playfully pondering with the idea and sharing it here. I don’t want to raise a discussion about autonomy vs applied art but I do think there are important issues to be aware of. And indeed the question about who’s setting the agenda’s is a great suggestion for this, and would like to hear more thoughts on this. Interesting perhaps to point out here is that currently a lot of discussions are going in The Netherlands about all these "managerial layers and efficiency policies" after the occupation of the University of Amsterdam by some students: http://roarmag.org/2015/03/occupation-maagdenhuis-university-amsterdam/.
I like to believe that the art is still a free and open domain, and for me it’s important to think about the question how to maintain and prosper these values of autonomy-quality-experiment-freedom. Therefore I think the idea of open and playful experiment & research as part of the artistic practise is crucial and serves as a foundation for our society and as a tool for culture in general. As a friend pointed out the other day, we still live in the digital dark ages. ( going off-topic now, though hope to illustrate something by writing this down briefly). Trying to improve or escape from it might end up to be a catch 22. For example, if technology amplifies both the bright and the dark aspects of human intelligence, we may not be able to ever remedy its defects: the harder we try to come up with solutions, more we invite and solicit unknown and unpredictable side-effects. Through art we’re able to reflect upon possible future scenario’s we may fear or desire. We need stories and imagination informed and engaged by the artistic practice and critical thinking that is outside our comfort zones and possible imagination.
Suzy, ways of implementing these open-minded strategies based on trust, empathy and mutual inspiration are for example facilitated by open and creative collaborations such as the Studio and the Open labs meet ups / workspace. More information here: http://www.baltanlaboratories.org/article/open-lab/baltan-open-labs-quarterly-meetups We also pursuit this by initiating long term collaborations such as the Age of Wonderland program, in which we aim to connect artists/designers from other parts of the world with the local community of Eindhoven by actively involving them how to take their ideas a step further and by creating an impact with their local community when they return back home. “It’s not about defining the strategy or to think in solutions up front, but rather about synthesising our needs. In the design processes there is no such thing as failure. Every mistake becomes a new starting point and resembles a spiral of evolution. These exchange- and designing processes can be quite challenging, as they are subject to messy, and steep learning curves.” (Policy note Age of Wonderland program, 2015).
Hope the above makes any sense. (if not now you all know why I didn’t become a writer, so pls bare with me ;-).
warm regards
Olga
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