In Media Res: An Exhibition of Critical Design Practice

RB: The project emerged from design-research by Sawyer and colleagues in the Industrial Design Research Lab (IDRL, UWA), using rigorous, non-traditional methods to examine the role of design and architecture in contemporary consumer societies. In Media Res engaged selected architects, academics, and designers in critical examination and theoretical explication of their own design praxis through a lens provided by the curators, who proposed a sociotechnical understanding of the complex ways design-objects mediate the lives, behaviours, and relationships of designers and users.RC: Varied outputs directed to different audience (professional, academic, lay): a public exhibition, printed catalogue, and public lectures. Innovation was achieved by an interdisciplinary group and through the response to a theoretical brief provided by the curators (Sawyer & May). The project followed design interpretation of Science and Technology Studies (ala Bruno Latour, Albena Yaneva, John Law). The catalogue (attached) sets out this framework. Curation highlighted the conceptual project and the negotiation between human and non-human actors in design. The work was framed as contingent and mediated.RS: IMR is the first exhibition of design selected for PSAS gallery. PSAS presents a curated program of exhibitions and events by Australian and international artists—one of WA’s most exciting platforms for contemporary culture. Contributors were nationally and internationally recognised and awarded architects and designers. Hundreds of visitors attended the show and the public lectures were well attended. The show was widely publicised on the gallery’s digital media platforms. An illustrated printed catalogue (ISBN9781647135461) accompanied. Work has since been exhibited at Bay One, Cullity Gallery, Nedlands. A peer-reviewed paper by Sawyer (curator), Goldswain (exhibitor) and Pinho (exhibitor), is being finalised for Design Studies journal. PSAS has invited the curators for a 2021 show