lab portraits

Stefi lab 1

Lab session – lab portraits

September 2007

Taking “Second hand”, or vintage, shop as a kind of lab, changes any kind of idea about clean, organized, controlled, special-condition-surrounding space one might have.

To simplify things, making a definition about what lab means for me might help.

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of Lab is medical lab, or virus lab. I think it is very interesting the way viruses are divided in many groups, sections, boxes, containers and str. The thing that fascinates me about virus labs is the way they work: researching and analyzing old , and discovering new, all at the same place. Going from that idea, I made my own definition about the perfect lab.

So taking a second hand vintage shop as a kind of lab gave me space to rediscover old and create new things.

Is lab all about new ideas?

Passion!

Can you change your identity in a lab? Should you?

Atmosphere!

Why do old things always come back? Do we always need to rethink/reconsider?

Using what you have!

Matching contrasts!

Do new ideas need old methods? Or old methods – new ideas?

…

If time is continuous circle (past-present-future trends) how do we say unique or original?

Selection based on new trends.

Why second hand is original? Is it because is limited edition nowadays?

BijOns

Unique vintage store. The clothes are 20-50 years old, but never worn. Shipped mostly from Germany, but also all around Europe. Clothes, shoes, accessories, house hold items and much more.

Zipper

Nowadays mostly mainstreem fashion. Following the style of H&M they make the selection of clothes brought from US and Germany. Bringing new brands (CheapMonday) and designers, they are trying to change this second hand store into new designed-retro style.

Episode

The biggest chain of second hand stores in Europe. They get the clothes in big piles from charity. First is cleaning and selecting what is for their shop, the rest they sell to other second hand shops, and at the end what is left is again for charity. Episode is a Symbol.

manifest - toolbox

Project: My Study Manifesto- MY TOOL BOX

tutor(s): all

lab: 1

student: Stefanija Najdovska – Stefi

24^th September 2007

>>> Species Of Spaces And Other Pieces : Georges Perec <<<

First notes:

• events/excursions/traveling

• designers

• new laptop

• catalogs

• more money/better job

• open working space/more surfaces

• team work

• independent work

• outside school projects

• better perception

• access to more things

First list:

• better perception

• easier access to materials : plastic

• Knowing peoples needs, answers and dreams

• knowing how and what to question

• sandpaper : work things out till perfection, smoothness,the wanted layer

• being vulnerable : ski lift (escaping the safe zone)

• technology : laptop, programs, machines

Final list:

• perception

• plastic

• answers

• questions

• sandpaper

• ski lift

• technology

Perception : interpreting , selecting

We do not really see reality, we perceive it. The understanding of this truth is a fundamental NLP ( Neuro Linguistic Programming) principle. It is subtle but important distinction to inwardly know that what we see is an interpretation of reality. Why is this important?

We are always providing our own interpretation of reality based upon our own subjective, faulty or biased paradigms. This affects not just how we understand the world, but how we understand the people.

• How do we stay objective on one matter, when being a human after all?

• As designers do we HAVE to lose the subjective when working for masses of people we don't know?

• Knowing how wrong or unreliable our perception is as humans, how can we use it?

• Perceiving - a state of mind or way of living?

Plastic : fantastic?

The most used material these days – the future of producing. Imitation or any other material in wide range or quality, shapes, characteristics and possibilities.

>>> Patrick Jouin : SOLID (3d printing) <<<

• How can we use it to make it unique?

• How far can we go with it?

Answers : knowledge

A response from something done or said. Solution to a problem. To suit a need or purpose satisfactorily. Meeting the problem, knowing the needs, using the expectations and wishes. Working on getting the right answer - yours as well as somebody else's.

• How do u know you have the right answer? Coworkers, teachers, friends? What would be the criteria?

• Can you get an answer withought asking?

Questions : get hyper!

To make a request. To doubt. To be curious. To want more. To dare.

• Do we always need answers to our questions?

• If we don't need answers, why do we question things?

• Is it enough just to get you thinking or doubting?

• When or how do we stop questioning?

Sandpaper : change the world

It is used to remove small amounts of material from surfaces, to make them smoother, to remove a layer of material, or sometimes to make the surface rougher.

• Are we (“the designers”) changing the world?

• Do we dictated the rules of living?

Ski lift : the “thing” that pushes me

Metaphorically, the ski lift is the drive taking me out of the safe zone. Being vulnerable, and out on the open, I have to experience new things. No matter how scary it is, it is always for greater cause – learning. And, at the end, when I'm again on safe ground, I'm smarter. Have to make that big step to be proud of myself.

• What is it about the safe zone that makes us come back?

• Can you also learn in your safe zone?

• How do you make the world, your safe zone?

Technology : access to the world

Technology is a broad concept that deals with a species' usage and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt to it's environment. In human society, it is a consequence of science and engineering, although several technological advances predate the two concepts. Technology is a term with origin in the Greek "technologia", "τεχνολογία" — "techne", "τέχνη" ("craft") and "logia", "λογία" ("saying"). However "technology" can refer to material objects of use to humanity, such as machines, hardware or utensils, but can also encompass broader themes, including systems, methods of organization, and techniques. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples include "construction technology", "medical technology", or "state-of-the-art technology".

(The state-of-the-art is the highest level of development, as of a device, technique, or scientific field, achieved at a particular time)

• By simplifying do we make thing easier to perceive or dull to live?

• Is technology “canning” the human in us?