4. Slow design networks
Slow networking An interesting feature of organisations involved in the ‘slow movement’ is a common percieved need to set up new cultural spaces to discuss and practice slow design. Many organisations encourage cross-disciplinary involvment from all types of creatives in the form of projects, dialogues and events. Open source knowledge seems another important common denominator. Discussions are emerging around the globe. There are some common threads of philosophy, such as the perception that ‘slow’ is a necessary counterbalance to today’s ‘fast’ cultural norms, that ‘slow’ can’t exist without ‘fast’ and that ‘slow’ is a positive socio-cultural value. In keeping with slow philosphophy there is a healthy divergence of design concepts, expressions, actions and outcomes. Here is a selection of rich, slow thinking: Slow ‘Slow’ creates active real and virtual objects and tools to encourage slowing of individual’s metabolisms. Slow is a theoretical, conceptual, collaborative and virtual space to extend the conversation about slow design. Tempo tempo is a new cultural space and a network of professionals, students and laypeople with expertise and/or interest in sustainable design. The focus is on converting ideas and theory into practice and the Manifesto for slow sustainble designers provides a guiding code. tempo projects are sustainable design in action and include strong synergies with the central tenets of slow design philosophy. A current project examines the potential of domestic furniture and artefacts as conveyors of ‘positive slowness’ and well-being. SlowLab Carolyn F Strauss is the New York based founder of slowLab, ‘a working design laboratory for research and prototyping of materials, forms and experiences that engender consciousness, wellbeing and harmony – in the lives of designers and end-users, the communities they participate in, and the planet that we share’. Comprised mainly of North American and European designers, architects and artists, slowLab publishes dialogues around slow design, is growing a database of projects and has a good list of books, articles and links. Slow planet Operated by the wonderfully named World Institute of Slowness, Slowplanet’s mission is to ‘show the way to a life form that is based on the good values coming with slowness, and consequently fight the need for always being in a hurry.’ Slowplanet are involved in every facet of everyday life, from business, shopping, travel, ideas, politics and, naturally, design. Web surfers can sign up to the Manifesto Slowdesign and Manifesto Slowbusiness or contribute by emailing comments, ideas and suggestions. Slow food Probably the mother of all slow activism, the Slow Food movement has over 65,000 members in 42 countries. Emerging from a grass roots desire to attenuate the spread of global corporate food businesses in Italy, Slow Food has become a clarion call to those opposed to the spread of these mono-cultural foods. It celebrates a quality of life where diversity of food and drink is seen as essential for human and environmental well-being. Slow cities Thirty two towns and cities in Italy have signed up to the Slow Cities Charter that focuses on maintaining and/or recreating local identity, a sense of community, quality food production and environmental improvements. Closely allied with the Slow Food movement, Slow Cities is a way of thinking about a city’s future, engaging its inhabitants and welcoming its guests. Doors of Perception Amsterdam based Doors is well known for its challenging themed conferences that gather the good and the great to debate pressing cultural challenges. Two past conferences, ‘Speed’ in 1996 and ‘Flow’ in 2002, bear special relevance to the slow design debate and are well worth a visit. Thinkcycle Set up by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab, Thinkcycle is an Open Collaborative Design network stimulating information transfer and application of design solutions between developing and developed countires using ICT. Open source know-how and knowledge is a key ingredient in facilitating design evolution, permitting feedback during the design process and involving diverse stakeholders. Equity in the design process and outcomes is central to Thinkcycle’s vision. The Sloth Club Born out of a rescue mission by eco-tourists to save a sloth from a cooking pot in the Equadorian jungle, the aim of The Sloth Club is to ‘be engaged in what we call ‘Sloth Business’, that is, ecolgically and socially concsientious business’. This means shifting from the culture of ‘more, faster, tougher’ to’ less, slower, non-violent’. The Sloth provides the perfect case study and metaphor – it is low-energy mammal, forms strong symbiotic relationships with its native flora and fauna, including blue-green algae and insects in its fur, and it encourages recycling of nutrients. The Club is aiming to establish a santuary for the sloth in Equador and raise funds to protect vital habitat. The Long Now Foundation ©2004, 2005 Alastair Fuad-Luke. All rights reserved.
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