Contextualising Practice: Challenging preconceptions: the uses of materials.

If we can challenge the preconceptions of making, how can the use of materials be explored? This lecture focussed on examining the work of different artists and designers in relation to the materials they selected to use within their work. We focussed on how this choice challenged the nature of the actual object, and how materials have associations that come with them along with how materials can have histories. 

The way in which we measure human development is always based on materials for example the different ages of humanity e.g bronze age. We have a certain way of thinking about materials as we are in a certain episteme. 

Can we challenge this? Are we now turning a corner in the way in which we do think about materials- back to a more magical way? 

Coco Chanel.

Coco Chanel's use of materials was focussed on the idea of the materials being true to the body and simply enhancing the ideal form of body which at this time was a sporty build, meaning fabrics such as Jersey where ideal for this job. The body was the core to the material- sleek lines and no decoration.

This suggests the importance of materials within the work of fashion designers like Coco Chanel in the way that different materials do different things to represent the body in different ways- some fabric can flatter and enhance the body, others not so much. 

Postmodern Materials? 

Mary Kantrantzou's- digitally printed materials.

Is technology beginning to defy materials completely? In pieces like this does the material have as much importance as the digital print on the material itself?

Materials and the environment.

Droog: Material Matters

"While we are hit with glooming predictions of ever increasing material scarcity, our material culture—from the way we consume and dispose, to the way we produce and collect, to the way we design and develop business models— largely remains unchanged."

Taxing on raw materials rather than the finished product? Would companies then by offcuts and bankrupt stocks etc? We need to start realising the concerns over getting the materials which we source- the precious and composite materials. Recycle/Remake? Using things that are already made to make something new?