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The Fun Theory // Volkswagen // Participatory + Social Practice Ideas Applied.

We used to have audiences, but the information age has transformed them into users who are no longer satisfied with the passive consumption of content. They desire interactions and opportunities to connect and contribute. Designers are placed in a position to plan and produce the systems, platforms, frameworks, events and artifacts that work as a conduit to facilitate these interactions and experiences. —Rules of Engagement by Frank Chimero

"We live in exciting times. Finally, we are beginning to understand that pleasure and fun are important components of life; that emotion is not a bad thing; and that learning, education, and work can all benefit from pleasure and fun. Up to now, a primary goal of product and service design has been to provide useful functions and results. We should not lose track of these goals, but now that we are well on our way to doing that for an amazing variety of goods and services, it is time to make sure that they are pleasurable as well. Not only does this require emotions to be a major component of design thinking, but we must also incorporate actions, actions that use the whole body in movement, rhythm, and purpose." —The Transmedia Design Challenge: Technology that is Pleasurable and Satisfying by Don Norman

thefuntheory.com

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People. Context. Audience. A post about Harrell Fletcher.

 

Untitled (Four Girls) Harrell Fletcher, 2005

In reading through your posts for this week, I couldn't help but be excited by Nicole Lavelle's wonderful post on Harrell Fletcher. Below is an excerpt from her post — to read the whole post and get a thoughtful perspective on and greater understanding of social practice and the work Nicole posted click here. 

 

Lawn Sculptures, Harrell Fletcher, 2002

"People, context, audience

Social Practice, at its base, is about people. It’s investigative journalism reinterpreted. It’s about, and for, the regular person. It elevates, if only temporarily, the average citizen to the status of artist, collaborator or celebrity.

It’s hard to talk about Social Practice without talking about Harrell Fletcher. It seems that this brand of socially engaged art falls wholly into his realm. I always find it hard to explain what Social Practice is to anyone without using Harrell’s projects as examples.

By placing the mundane in an art context, it is immediately elevated to a place of interest. An audience is created for content which before had no audience. This is one part of Harrell Fletcher’s social practice. The other part is a total subversion of that same art world in which, by purpose or default, Harrell Fletcher’s artworks are placed. He often works outside of the restrictions of a traditional art context and make his works more accessible to “regular people.” A non-art audience."

 

The Report, Harrell Fletcher, 2003

 

North Beach Parking Garage, Harrell Fletcher and Jon Rubin, 2002

... and more from Nicole Lavelle's thoughtful post ..... "I think that some of Harrell’s approaches to his artmaking can be incredibly valuable to us as designers, especially a sentiment about interest. I think that in order for the work we make to be maximally effective, inspiring and genuine, we must be passionate about and interested in the work we’re doing. Here’s what Harrell says:

'And what is the best strategy for appearing interested? The answer is to sincerely be interested in fact nothing else will work. This is not difficult for me, because I actually think that people are interesting.'"

Thanks Nicole!