Doing critique of what design does at Superkilen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

How can design critique address what spatial design does? Starting from the concept of criticality this paper proposes to look away from objects and their meanings and instead to engage with what design does here and now. Guided by performance theory and actor-network theory we conducted an experimental workshop with PhD students at the internationally acclaimed public park Superkilen in Copenhagen, Denmark. Using water melons and egg timers some of the students explored what happened when unexpected objects were placed there. Others investigated, represented and questioned what a particular bench does through film, photo collage and twisted architectural drawings.

We find that design critique can actualise potential of design work by articulating relationships between people and things. To do so, we propose that the critic actively engages in the particular situation rather than judging or analysing design work from a distance. Designerly and artistic forms of representation can be vital tools of investigation and articulation of such a critique. Working in the mode of criticality can pinpoint what possibilities are at stake in a particular situation, while it also can problematize doings of design in a larger socio-spatial environment and thereby point to critical potential for its future development.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCRIOS - Critica degli ordinamenti spaziali
Volume4
Issue number13
Pages (from-to)45-60
Number of pages16
ISSN2279-8986
Publication statusPublished - 2017
EventPhD Course: Constructing Criticism: Methods for studying what spatial design does - University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Duration: 22 Aug 201626 Aug 2016

Course

CoursePhD Course: Constructing Criticism
LocationUniversity of Copenhagen
CountryDenmark
CityCopenhagen
Period22/08/201626/08/2016

Bibliographical note

Section: OLTRE LA DELIBERAZIONE DEMOCRATICA

ID: 182508723