Between Dreamy and Dreary
Aug 21 - Nov 21, 2020
Soomi Park and Owen Wells are emerging designers based in the UK. They teach and work at various universities in London, including Goldsmiths, University of the Arts London, and London College of Communication. Their work has been featured in various globally recognized media such as the London Design Museum, The New York Times, and Vogue. They focus on speculative design to conceptualize design and technology, offering new perspectives on social issues and presenting utopian or dystopian scenarios to reflect on the present through their exhibition "Between Dreamy and Dreary."
Participation
Soomi Park, Owen Wells
Curator
Celine Park
박수미(Soomi Park)와 오웬 웰스(Owen Wells)는 영국에서 활동하는 신진 디자이너로서 골드스미스, 런던예술대학, 런던 컬리지 등 런던에 위치한 여러 대학에서 강의하며 작업하고 있다. 이들의 작업은 런던 디자인 뮤지엄, 뉴욕 타임즈, 보그 등 세계에서 주목하는 다양한 매체를 통해 소개됐다. 이들은 디자인을 사고화 하기 위해 스페큘레이티브 디자인을 기반으로 디자인과 테크놀로지의 연결점을 고려해 작업한다. 이들은 'Between Dreamy and Dreary' 전시를 통해 사회적 이슈를 새로운 관점으로 볼 수 있게하고, 유토피아 혹은 디스토피아적 시나리오를 제시해 현재를 되돌아 보게한다.
참여 작가
박수미, 오웬웰스
큐레이터
셀린박
DETAIL OF PROJECTS
Please click the images below to enter the page of each project.
The Republic of Privacy_ Sniffer Dog Authentication (2013)
Sniffer Dog Authentication is an identification system that works on human odour. Instead of using written personal data storage for authentication, this system employs dog’s smell recognition for identification. This is used in financial applications, such as ATM and pay envelopes, driving licences and healthcare certificates. The Sniffer Dog Authentication system raises the issue of personal information in the financial system. By showing an alternative identifying system, the project reveals the complex structures of today’s financial system. This convenience system relies on correct identification of the individual, therefore security threats to personal data are no longer an issue. The deeply embedded reliance on those data in the system makes alternatives seem unfamiliar. The oddness in the design solution emphasise the importance and complexity of those issues. The design exemplifies what new human-technology interaction are necessary in order to use this system. How will the sociological definition of ‘privacy’ change if people have to let a dog sniff their private body parts in order to have freedom from personal data storage?
The Republic of Privacy_ Sniffer Dog Authentication (2013)Sniffer Dog Authentication is an identification system that works on human odour. Instead of using written personal data storage for authentication, this system employs dog’s smell recognition for identification. This is used in financial applications, such as ATM and pay envelopes, driving licences and healthcare certificates. The Sniffer Dog Authentication system raises the issue of personal information in the financial system. By showing an alternative identifying system, the project reveals the complex structures of today’s financial system. This convenience system relies on correct identification of the individual, therefore security threats to personal data are no longer an issue. The deeply embedded reliance on those data in the system makes alternatives seem unfamiliar. The oddness in the design solution emphasise the importance and complexity of those issues. The design exemplifies what new human-technology interaction are necessary in order to use this system. How will the sociological definition of ‘privacy’ change if people have to let a dog sniff their private body parts in order to have freedom from personal data storage?
The Republic of Privacy_Identity Marriage (2013)
Identity Marriage is a speculative ceremony for social interactions in the Republic of Privacy. The ‘True Name Device’, which facilitates private communication, information can be exchanged or exposed within the boundary of personal decisions. The Identity Marriage addresses issues of identity ownership. Today’s digital technology exposed personal information and generates problems of data security up to identity theft. ‘Identity Marriage’ shows an alternative in which the individual is in total control of his personal information – by sharing them genuinely with someone they sincerely trust. Thereby the project raises questions about the value of information and intimacy: What new sociological value can be derived from sharing personal information? How can people form relationships in this fictional nation? What can new technological devices support this new cultural system?
The Republic of Privacy_Identity Marriage (2013) Identity Marriage is a speculative ceremony for social interactions in the Republic of Privacy. The ‘True Name Device’, which facilitates private communication, information can be exchanged or exposed within the boundary of personal decisions. The Identity Marriage addresses issues of identity ownership. Today’s digital technology exposed personal information and generates problems of data security up to identity theft. ‘Identity Marriage’ shows an alternative in which the individual is in total control of his personal information – by sharing them genuinely with someone they sincerely trust. Thereby the project raises questions about the value of information and intimacy: What new sociological value can be derived from sharing personal information? How can people form relationships in this fictional nation? What can new technological devices support this new cultural system?
Between Dreamy and Dreary (2018)
Digital tourism is giving people the opportunity to experience and explore a diverse set of destinations before visiting the actual, physical place. In order to attract more potential tourists, the tourist areas are actively producing their promotional digital contents by using emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality or 4K promotional film. People can explore their destinations through the highly realistic sensory experiences that give almost dreamy feelings. However, when people visit the locations the experiences are not the same as they have known. People find that the reality is not dreamy, it is dreary. The sky seems less blue and the excitement of the activities are not as extreme. More exposer of the advanced digital tourism often turns people down to see the gaps. This leads people’s disappointment or disrealisation of the reality which questions what is ‘reality’? What do we prefer to explore in the new destination?
Between Dreamy and Dreary (2018) Digital tourism is giving people the opportunity to experience and explore a diverse set of destinations before visiting the actual, physical place. In order to attract more potential tourists, the tourist areas are actively producing their promotional digital contents by using emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality or 4K promotional film. People can explore their destinations through the highly realistic sensory experiences that give almost dreamy feelings. However, when people visit the locations the experiences are not the same as they have known. People find that the reality is not dreamy, it is dreary. The sky seems less blue and the excitement of the activities are not as extreme. More exposer of the advanced digital tourism often turns people down to see the gaps. This leads people’s disappointment or disrealisation of the reality which questions what is ‘reality’? What do we prefer to explore in the new destination?
Embarrassed Robots (2017)
Artificial intelligence and robotics will play an increasingly important role in supporting our lives. Currently, AI and robotics remain crude – confined to our smartphones, sat-navs, or tasked to build our cars. To fit more seamlessly into our daily lives they will have to learn to successfully reflect our emotions – the embarrassment for example. Embarrassed Robots project proposes an investigation into how through material, form and function a robot can come to express emotion, without aping and alienating us. Embarrassment is a quintessential human emotion and something that in the future any robot occupying a human facing role will need to be able to replicate. This project investigates how the design of a robot can come to express embarrassment.
Embarrassed Robots (2017) Artificial intelligence and robotics will play an increasingly important role in supporting our lives. Currently, AI and robotics remain crude – confined to our smartphones, sat-navs, or tasked to build our cars. To fit more seamlessly into our daily lives they will have to learn to successfully reflect our emotions – the embarrassment for example. Embarrassed Robots project proposes an investigation into how through material, form and function a robot can come to express emotion, without aping and alienating us. Embarrassment is a quintessential human emotion and something that in the future any robot occupying a human facing role will need to be able to replicate. This project investigates how the design of a robot can come to express embarrassment.