I've been enjoying the recent conversation, and rather than
responding directly to Richard as I'd like, I'd like to ask a related
question. The discussion is bolstering my intuition that the
consideration of feminist work may be valuable in reconciling the
reality of practice and making with intellectual/political research
questions; given the resolutely embodied nature of much critical
practice in that tradition. [Perhaps it could also help with the
rugby analogies :7.]
I have some leads on this question which position themselves within
an art theory context but nothing which addresses this issue directly
within the context of design and design research. If anyone knew of
work in this area I'd be very appreciative, especially anything
referring to feminist science and technology studies.
Regards,
Danny
On 08/05/2007, at 1:28 AM, Richard Buchanan wrote:
> I believe that a large part of the wickedness comes from a deep
> respect for
> practice and making. With that respect, which I deeply share, comes
> a fear
> that a different agenda or philosophy of method will undermine or even
> replace making—-a fear that I do not share. But the fear is not
> unreasonable. Isn’t this precisely what Chris Alexander expressed
> in his
> repudiation of the design methods movement in the 1971 introduction
> to the
> reprinting of his doctoral dissertation? He asks how one can possibly
> separate “the study of designing from the practice of design.” Of
> course it
> is possible, but therein lies the challenge of our work as
> researchers,
> whether we agree with Alexander or not.
>
> Frankly, I believe that behind all of the silliness of the debate over
> doctoral work in art and design--and you have to admit that there
> has been
> some silliness--lies one of the deepest cultural problems of our
> time. Art
> and design, despite all of their differences, are struggling to
> assert the
> value of making. This is a break with the culture of the past,
> however one
> may wish to characterize it. We are once again in our culture
> beginning to
> recognize that making and production are not secondary to thought
> and action
> but central to them.
--
http://www.dannybutt.net
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