This exhibition is part of my PhD in Artistic Research, exploring the entangled relationship between humans and designed objects. Drawing from my furniture design background, I investigate design’s connection to resources, (over)consumption, and its influence on shaping nature and humans. My practice involves spontaneous interactions with (waste) materials, objects, and leftovers in various contexts. I invite the oldest known tool that has always been part of human life into the research: The hammer. I use it as a cultural prop to reflect on and as a companion I reflect with, asking: Could the hammer be a metaphor for design? Could ways we use the hammer represent different design approaches?
The exhibition’s centrepiece is an object-creature-furniture-organism made from leftovers from KMD and surrounding areas, symbolising time, growth, and degrowth. It explores function, dysfunction, value, friction, resonance, and dissonance, reflecting my view of design as an ongoing, collective process. All the works involved in the research process are present in the exhibition as books, objects, and other visual and textual materials. Visitors are encouraged to touch and engage with the exhibits. Take a seat, observe the research, and become part of the installation as you view the shadow cast by the Human Object.
All documentation photos by Bjarte Bjørkum / KMD
